Ivan Köler-Wiliandi was a Russian painter of Estonian descent (real name Johann Köler), founder of the Estonian national school of painting.
Köler-Wiliandi was an academic and professor at the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts. He began his career in the visual arts by creating street signs. In 1857, Köler, as a scholar at the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of Ars, traveled to Europe to develop his professional skills. In 1877, he was elected a member of the Council of the Academy of Arts. In the late 1880s, the artist lived in France and Austria. After returning to Russia, the best period of his creativity began. Many high-ranking officials commission portraits from him. The work of Köler-Widiandi was not limited to the portrait genre. His work also includes compositions with churches and paintings on biblical scenes, landscapes, and genre paintings.
This painting depicts a white-haired noble old man inclines over the celestial sphere. It was created in Paris in 1858. Supposedly, the artist was inspired by the image of Galileo, the Italian scientist, physicist, mechanic, astronomer, mathematician, poet, and philosopher. In the picture, the scientist is immersed in his thoughts, his gaze directed to the globe of the starry sky. At this moment he may discover one of the greatest secrets of being. The work is distinguished by the accuracy of composition and forms, and the impeccable drawing.
Special attention deserves the personality of the former owner – public figure, philanthropist and bibliophile Fyodor Pryanishnikov. A fervent supporter of the Academy of Arts, he financially supported the artists and gathered a big collection for an art gallery. Later on it was purchased by Alexander II and donated to the Rumyantsev Museum.
Copies of this work, made by different artists, are in the Astrakhan Art Gallery, Yegoryevsky Museum of History and Art, the Buryat National Museum, as well as in private collections in Kiev and Saint Petersburg. The titles of the copies varie: ‘Galileo’, ‘Portrait of an old man’, ‘The Thinker and the Globe’.
Köler-Wiliandi was an academic and professor at the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts. He began his career in the visual arts by creating street signs. In 1857, Köler, as a scholar at the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of Ars, traveled to Europe to develop his professional skills. In 1877, he was elected a member of the Council of the Academy of Arts. In the late 1880s, the artist lived in France and Austria. After returning to Russia, the best period of his creativity began. Many high-ranking officials commission portraits from him. The work of Köler-Widiandi was not limited to the portrait genre. His work also includes compositions with churches and paintings on biblical scenes, landscapes, and genre paintings.
This painting depicts a white-haired noble old man inclines over the celestial sphere. It was created in Paris in 1858. Supposedly, the artist was inspired by the image of Galileo, the Italian scientist, physicist, mechanic, astronomer, mathematician, poet, and philosopher. In the picture, the scientist is immersed in his thoughts, his gaze directed to the globe of the starry sky. At this moment he may discover one of the greatest secrets of being. The work is distinguished by the accuracy of composition and forms, and the impeccable drawing.
Special attention deserves the personality of the former owner – public figure, philanthropist and bibliophile Fyodor Pryanishnikov. A fervent supporter of the Academy of Arts, he financially supported the artists and gathered a big collection for an art gallery. Later on it was purchased by Alexander II and donated to the Rumyantsev Museum.
Copies of this work, made by different artists, are in the Astrakhan Art Gallery, Yegoryevsky Museum of History and Art, the Buryat National Museum, as well as in private collections in Kiev and Saint Petersburg. The titles of the copies varie: ‘Galileo’, ‘Portrait of an old man’, ‘The Thinker and the Globe’.
