Vasily Khudyakov was born in 1826 to a family of serfs of landowner Polivanov. He studied in the Moscow School of Technical Drawing of Count Sergey Stroganov, and then in the Moscow School of Arts, Sculpture and Architecture. For his works sent to the Imperial Academy of Arts, Khudyakov received a grand silver medal. At the age of 21, Khudyakov was released from serfdom and entered the Academy to graduate from it with a certificate of an independent artist.
Khudyakov worked in multiple genres: he painted portraits and landscapes, animal, genre and history pieces. He also took part in painting frescoes in the Grand Kremlin Palace and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. In 1851, Khudyakov was awarded the membership in the Academy of Arts for his portrait of Avraam Melnikov. Nine years later the Academy gave him professorship for his painting scenes from everyday life in Italy, Bowling Play.
Paintings by Khudyakov were popular among art collectors. Thus, his painting Gunfight with Finland Smugglers was among the first paintings bought by Pavel Tretyakov for his collection.
Vasily Khudyakov also did portraits of Russian aristocrats. In the 19th century, those were known as ‘Salon’ portraits. The artists working in this genre were often criticised for ostentatious painting, for idealisation of subjects and erasing their individuality and character, and for blatant use of painting and composition clichés.
However, the Portrait of an Unknown Woman with a Hat in Her Hand displayed at the Gallery goes beyond the definition of a purely Salon portrait. Art experts believe that this portrait may be classified as a ‘lifelike portrait’ because not only did Vasily Khudyakov convey the appearance of the woman in every detail but he was also concerned with what lied beneath the surface: her thoughtfulness and some spiritual weariness. The woman’s pale face, red eyes and her gaze directed through the audience suggest that the portrayed is immersed in her own feelings.
The subject’s expression of sorrow is emphasised by her mourning clothes. The thin cloth of her black dress decorated with delicate lace and bracelets of amber and gemstones as if shining from within are handled with great skill.
Khudyakov worked in multiple genres: he painted portraits and landscapes, animal, genre and history pieces. He also took part in painting frescoes in the Grand Kremlin Palace and Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. In 1851, Khudyakov was awarded the membership in the Academy of Arts for his portrait of Avraam Melnikov. Nine years later the Academy gave him professorship for his painting scenes from everyday life in Italy, Bowling Play.
Paintings by Khudyakov were popular among art collectors. Thus, his painting Gunfight with Finland Smugglers was among the first paintings bought by Pavel Tretyakov for his collection.
Vasily Khudyakov also did portraits of Russian aristocrats. In the 19th century, those were known as ‘Salon’ portraits. The artists working in this genre were often criticised for ostentatious painting, for idealisation of subjects and erasing their individuality and character, and for blatant use of painting and composition clichés.
However, the Portrait of an Unknown Woman with a Hat in Her Hand displayed at the Gallery goes beyond the definition of a purely Salon portrait. Art experts believe that this portrait may be classified as a ‘lifelike portrait’ because not only did Vasily Khudyakov convey the appearance of the woman in every detail but he was also concerned with what lied beneath the surface: her thoughtfulness and some spiritual weariness. The woman’s pale face, red eyes and her gaze directed through the audience suggest that the portrayed is immersed in her own feelings.
The subject’s expression of sorrow is emphasised by her mourning clothes. The thin cloth of her black dress decorated with delicate lace and bracelets of amber and gemstones as if shining from within are handled with great skill.
