The painting Italian Woman with Flowers belongs to artist Ivan Kuzmich Makarov, a master of Russian academic painting of the second half of the 19th century. An outstanding portrait painter, draftsman, watercolorist, author of works of monumental painting of religious content left a whole galaxy of vivid images of contemporaries made with the highest professionalism.
This Russian painter is a native of Arzamas, he was born in this town on the 23rd of March in 1822. The future master received primary education in the Saransk district school. Eager to connect his life with painting, he decided to enter a drawing school under the supervision of his father, Kuzma Alexandrovich. Like many students of that time, he began his artistic path with icon painting. In 1842, the novice master worked on painting the walls of the village church in Salovka of the Insar District, Penza Province.
Ivan Makarov’s drawings and sketches were highly appreciated at the Imperial Academy of Arts while he was still a student at the Saransk school of painting. Having completed the first stage of education, in 1844, Ivan Kuzmich moved to the capital, where he attended classes at the St. Petersburg Academy. During his studies, he became interested in portraiture; his supervisor was Professor A.T. Markov, known for his monumental works on historical subjects.
The artist quickly gained fame in high society of St. Petersburg. Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna patronized the young painter, and in 1846, she took him with her on a trip to Europe. Together with the tsar’s family, the master traveled to the cities of France, Germany and Italy. During the trip, Ivan Makarov gave drawing lessons to the children of the Grand Duchess.
After finishing the course at the Academy, the artist decided to improve his mastery in Europe. With funds received from the Society for the Promotion of Artists and personally from Maria Nikolaevna, Ivan Makarov went abroad for two years. In 1853, he left for Europe with the firm intention to spend most of his time in Italy. Having visited several cities in Germany, the master settled in Rome, where he devoted all his time to work.
The southern nature, the art of Italy and the beauty of the inhabitants of that country made an indelible impression on the artist. During his stay in the Italian capital, he created a number of brilliant works in terms of technique. From this trip, the artist brought a series of works devoted to female images.
Italian Woman with Flowers was created between 1853 and 1855. In the centre of the composition there is a girl in a tunic, who enjoys the scent of a flower of a clambering plant, braiding a house wall. The painting is created using the Italian pencil technique. Here, the painter abandons careful drawing of details and prefers soft smooth lines and working with lighting. The girl’s hair and clothes look lively and voluminous.
Having returned to his homeland, the master received the title of academician for the art of portraiture. Afterwards the artist worked a lot on orders from noble families, painted portraits of the imperial family members, and created icons on private orders. Among other masters, Ivan Makarov took part in the painting of the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior, for which he was awarded an Order of St. Anne 3rd class.
Ivan Kuzmich Makarov died on 9 April 1897 in St. Petersburg. The artist was 75 years old. During his life he created many works that are now kept in museums and private collections.
This Russian painter is a native of Arzamas, he was born in this town on the 23rd of March in 1822. The future master received primary education in the Saransk district school. Eager to connect his life with painting, he decided to enter a drawing school under the supervision of his father, Kuzma Alexandrovich. Like many students of that time, he began his artistic path with icon painting. In 1842, the novice master worked on painting the walls of the village church in Salovka of the Insar District, Penza Province.
Ivan Makarov’s drawings and sketches were highly appreciated at the Imperial Academy of Arts while he was still a student at the Saransk school of painting. Having completed the first stage of education, in 1844, Ivan Kuzmich moved to the capital, where he attended classes at the St. Petersburg Academy. During his studies, he became interested in portraiture; his supervisor was Professor A.T. Markov, known for his monumental works on historical subjects.
The artist quickly gained fame in high society of St. Petersburg. Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna patronized the young painter, and in 1846, she took him with her on a trip to Europe. Together with the tsar’s family, the master traveled to the cities of France, Germany and Italy. During the trip, Ivan Makarov gave drawing lessons to the children of the Grand Duchess.
After finishing the course at the Academy, the artist decided to improve his mastery in Europe. With funds received from the Society for the Promotion of Artists and personally from Maria Nikolaevna, Ivan Makarov went abroad for two years. In 1853, he left for Europe with the firm intention to spend most of his time in Italy. Having visited several cities in Germany, the master settled in Rome, where he devoted all his time to work.
The southern nature, the art of Italy and the beauty of the inhabitants of that country made an indelible impression on the artist. During his stay in the Italian capital, he created a number of brilliant works in terms of technique. From this trip, the artist brought a series of works devoted to female images.
Italian Woman with Flowers was created between 1853 and 1855. In the centre of the composition there is a girl in a tunic, who enjoys the scent of a flower of a clambering plant, braiding a house wall. The painting is created using the Italian pencil technique. Here, the painter abandons careful drawing of details and prefers soft smooth lines and working with lighting. The girl’s hair and clothes look lively and voluminous.
Having returned to his homeland, the master received the title of academician for the art of portraiture. Afterwards the artist worked a lot on orders from noble families, painted portraits of the imperial family members, and created icons on private orders. Among other masters, Ivan Makarov took part in the painting of the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior, for which he was awarded an Order of St. Anne 3rd class.
Ivan Kuzmich Makarov died on 9 April 1897 in St. Petersburg. The artist was 75 years old. During his life he created many works that are now kept in museums and private collections.
