The exhibition of the Sevastopol Art Museum named after Mikhail Pavlovich Kroshitsky presents the portrait “Retired Soldier with Clarinet” by Alexey Tarasovich Markov.

The changes in the life of Russian society that took place in the early 19th century, including the growing self-consciousness, a strengthened sense of self-esteem in the wake of the Patriotic War of 1812, and the Decembrists’ uprising, turned many artists to the theme of national spirit. The general democratization affected the works of various genres of academic art and was reflected in the choice of themes, subjects, and protagonists. Significantly greater freedom and naturalness, in comparison with academic works, can be observed in the portrait “Retired Soldier with Clarinet”. Most likely, this unpretentious informal portrait was painted from a real participant of the Sevastopol defense of 1854–1855 during the Crimean War.

Alexey Markov (1802–1878) was a famous historical painter, engaged in monumental painting. He studied at the Academy of Arts under Andrei Ivanovich Ivanov, Alexei Egorovich Egorov, and Vasily Kuzmich Shebuyev. After graduating from the Academy of Arts with a gold medal, he received the right of a state-funded trip to Italy and Germany to continue his studies at public expense. For many years, Alexey Markov successfully taught at the Imperial Academy of Arts: in 1842, he was appointed professor of historical and portrait painting, in 1852, he was promoted to professor of the 1st degree, and from 1865 he had the title of professor emeritus.

Alexey Markov stayed true to the academic traditions; it is for a reason that the great Karl Pavlovich Bryullov dubbed him “Colosseum Fortunych”. Many students of the Academy sought to get into his studio, and the outstanding marinist Alexey Petrovich Bogolyubov, respectfully speaking of the master, said,