Konstantin Bogayevsky

This exhibition celebrates 150 years since the birth of Konstantin Fyodorovich Bogayevsky (1872–1943), one of the most prominent artists of Russia’s Silver Age. A pupil of Ivan Aivazovsky, Ivan Shishkin and Arkhip Kuindzhi, Bogayevsky graduated from the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1897, commencing his career at a crucial juncture in the history of Russian art. The ideas of Symbolism particularly intrigued the artist, which can be seen in his early works Old Crimea (1902), Desert. A Fairy Tale (1903), and After the Rain. Sea Shore (1903). In 1903, Bogayevsky was one of the co-founders of the New Society of Artists in St Petersburg, which also counted sculptors and architects as members. They moulded Neoclassicist principles, drawing their inspiration from Greek and Roman antiquity, the Early and High Renaissance, and Modern-era Classicism. These influences resonated with the worldview and artistic leanings of Bogayevsky, who worked in the genre of historical landscape.

Some of Konstantin Bogayevsky’s best works were in the Neoclassical style, having made significant contributions to the Russian art scene of the early 20th century with works such as Morning. Pink Gobelin, Classical Landscape, Remembering Mantegna, and Ships. Evening Sun. For years, Bogayevsky’s favourite subject was his native Crimea. Many of his paintings and graphic works depicting Crimean landscapes from the years 1900 to the 1920s are part of this exhibition. The influence of Bogayevsky’s favourite artist Andrea Mantegna is evident in many of these.

The exhibition numbers some 50 paintings, watercolours, drawings and lithographic prints by Konstantin Bogayevsky from the collection of the Russian Museum and КGallery.

The exhibition is supported by Severstal, Dobrotasevera,   Power Machines, Lenta, Nordgold, Sveza, Fun&Sun company, Scandinavia.