Mikhail Vrubel
Mikhail Vrubel was born on the 17th of March 1856 in Omsk. His father Alexander served as a desk officer for the 2nd Steppe Siberian Corps during that time. The family lived there while his mother Anna Aleksandrovna struggled with poor health due to frequent childbirth and the harsh Siberian climate. She died from consumption in 1859 when Mikhail was only three years old. He remembered her lying in bed cutting out paper figures like little people, horses, and fantastic shapes for her children. This early loss shaped his childhood significantly. His stepmother Elizaveta Vessel arrived in 1863 after marrying his father. She dedicated herself to raising his two siblings and later her own child. Her strict regime included feeding him raw meat and fish oil to build physical strength. Despite their close relationship, Mikhail and his sister Anna sometimes called her "Madrin'ka , perl materei" with irony. They desired independence which upset their father. By age ten, Mikhail showed artistic talent through drawing theater and music. A private teacher named Andrei Godin taught him advanced painting techniques. An exhibition of Michelangelo's Last Judgement in Saratov deeply impressed young Mikhail. He reproduced it from memory in all details.
After graduating with distinction from gymnasium, Mikhail studied at Saint Petersburg State University instead of art school. His family expected him to follow a legal career tradition common among their social circles. He lived with his uncle Nicolai Vessel who covered his expenses. The decision to study law seemed logical given the family background but did not align with his growing interests. In 1876 he repeated the second year due to poor grades and a desire to strengthen knowledge on subjects. He could not defend his thesis and graduated with the lowest scientific degree possible. His bohemian lifestyle partly blamed for failing to finish university work. While studying he made several illustrations for literary works both classic and contemporary. One famous composition was The Date Of Anna Karenina With The Son. It reminded critics of journal illustrations from that time: utterly romantic even melodramatic and very carefully decorated. Active participation in theatrical life required considerable expenses so he worked as a tutor and governess regularly. In 1875 he traveled to Europe visiting France Switzerland and Germany with one pupil. Later he guided a former classmate at the Papmel family where aestheticism encouraged his dandyism. By age twenty-four after serving short military service he gained admission to the Imperial Academy of Arts.
In autumn 1883 professor Adrian Prakhov invited Mikhail to Kiev to restore St Cyril's Monastery. The offer promised good earnings so the artist agreed after finishing academic year. For five years he completed an enormous number of paintings including murals and icons for St Cyril's church. He also made 150 drawings restoring an angel figure in the dome of St Sophia Cathedral. His contract specified completion of four icons within 76 days earning 300 rubles paid every 24 working days. A fresco titled Descent Of Holy Spirit On The Apostles bridged Byzantine art features with portrait pursuits. Twelve apostles sat in a semicircle under a box vault while Mary stood centrally against blue background. Golden rays came up from a circle featuring the Holy Spirit. Models included paramedic M Ershova protoiereus Petr Lebedintsev Kiev archaeologist Peter Orlovsky and Prakhov himself. The painting was done directly on wall without cardboard or preliminary sketches except small detail sheets. This style originated from Byzantine tradition inspired by hammered winged altarpiece from Tiflis monastery. Later Vrubel traveled to Venice where he painted three icons Saint Kirill Saint Afanasii Christ The Savior using zinc boards delivered from Kiev.
In May 1890 Mikhail painted The Demon Seated representing the fallen angel at beginning of Lermontov poem. It became most famous among his Demon series yet freest from literary associations. Colors used had brittle crystal-like quality emphasizing lifelessness sterility coldness reflected in surrounding nature. Blues and purples reminded viewers of Byzantine mosaics giving spiritual otherworldly sensation. Flowers around demon were cold crystals reproducing rock fractures while stone clouds emphasized alienation. Muscular body contrasted with helpless sentiments conveyed by slumping posture and sadness in face. Though strong externally figure remained passive introverted inside. No wings appeared but their mirage formed by contour large inflorescences behind shoulder folded hair. Return to theme occurred eight years later after initial rejection. Critics harshly criticized illustrations for rudeness ugliness caricature absurdity published the 10th of April 1891. People well-disposed did not understand him either so painter changed views suggesting true art incomprehensible almost anyone comprehensibility suspicious equally as incomprehensibility others felt.
the 20th of July 1890 saw death of twenty-two-year-old painter A Mamontov at Abramtsevo Colony. Mikhail attended funeral becoming fond local landscapes decided stay there. He headed factory ceramic tiles terracotta decorations earning good money completing commissions. Savva Mamontov recognized talent though didn't understand aesthetic aspirations creating suitable living environment. For first time life ceased depend noble families support started earning money decorating majolica chapel grave A Mamontov projecting extension Roman-Byzantine style mansion. Vrubel seemed irreplaceable easily doing any art except writing texts sculpture mosaics stained glass maiolica architectural masks projects theatrical scenery costumes all comfortable inherently decorative graphic idea poured forth broken water main sirins rusalkas sea divas knights elves flowers dragonflies done stylishly understanding characteristics material surroundings goal find pure stylishly beautiful making way everyday life heart public. One founders Russian Art Nouveau new style added neo-Russian romanticism Mamontov circle partially grew out it. Ceramics played significant role revival maiolica Russia attracted simplicity spontaneity rough texture whimsical spills glaze allowed experiment freely plastic artistic possibilities lack craftsmanship patterns put fantasies life plans supported brought life famous ceramist Peter Vaulin.
Beginning 1896 saw travel from Moscow Saint Petersburg visit Savva Mamontov around same time Russian premiere fairy-tale opera Hansel And Gretel about take place. Savva personally translated libretto sponsored combination company expected performers included prima Nadezhda Zabela originally Konstantin Korovin responsible decorations costumes illness renounce order favor Mikhail never attended opera before. On one rehearsal painter saw Nadezhda playing role Gretel's little sister recalling first meeting with him. He proposed shortly after initial meeting mentioning would kill himself immediately if rejected. Meeting Zabela family went poorly since parents confused age difference he forty years old she twenty-eight familiar fact Vrubel drinks erratic money wastes irregular unstable income nevertheless July 28 engaged Cathedral Exaltation Holy Cross Geneva Switzerland honeymoon guesthouse Lucerne continued work panel Morozov gothic cabinet point engagement utterly broke even walked station Nadehda house fall 1896 short contract Kharkov opera city had many commissions lived wife money prompted turn theatrical painting costume designs started designing costumes Nadehda redoing Tatiana Larina according Dmitrieva owes fruitfulness Moscow period Nadehda admiration Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov met each other 1898 invited Moscow private opera listened Sadko sang Princess Volkhov no less 90 times asked tired replied endlessly listen orchestra especially sea part every time find new wonder see fantastic tones.
During summer stay Ukraine 1898 experienced several symptoms future disease migraines got strong took phenacetin large quantities up to 25 grains more according sister law intense anxiety especially disagreement opinion piece art. Last years 19th century referred fairy-mythology plots particularly Bogatyr Pan Tsarevna-Lebed. Painting Pan 1899 used mythological figure show organic unity man nature resembling Russian folklore leshiy spirit forest bushy beard strong bulky mischievous tall trees trick travelers game good-natured cheekiness sparks eyes twilight hints awakening mysterious forces maintained rich vegetation manifestation lightning shines lightly creates mysterious atmosphere painted pale moon enhances feeling blue eyes mirror water swamp behind him finished one day Talashkino mansion plot drawn canvas previously started portrait wife inspired literature novella Saint Satyr Anatole France exposed paintings Diaghilev exhibition already after shown Moscow Association Artists' exhibition received attention. In 1898 painted Knight or Bogatyr portrays bogatyr old Russian folklore differs pre-Raphaelite Western knights predominantly elegant overrefined weighty strong beard rough hands ready plough fields fight likely inspired famous Russian epic figure Ilya Muromet defeated supernatural monsters horse couple jump higher tallest trees little lower clouds sky resting earth Ilia power grew three times Byliny ancient Slavic tales various famous heroes Russia associated incredible physical strength spiritual integrity main goal life protection homeland people patterns visible kaftan chain mail boots resemble war saints old Russian icons landscape ornamental qualities remind Bakst productions Afternoon Faun figure represented Romantic painter Vasnetov's Bogatyrs lacks spiritual fantastical qualities Vrubel wanted not only express power Russian land like Vasnetov also enchanting atmosphere silent metamorphosis archaic belonging land image Bogatyr unification background symbols typical.
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Common questions
When and where was Mikhail Vrubel born?
Mikhail Vrubel was born on the 17th of March 1856 in Omsk. His father Alexander served as a desk officer for the 2nd Steppe Siberian Corps during that time.
What education did Mikhail Vrubel receive before becoming an artist?
Mikhail Vrubel studied at Saint Petersburg State University instead of art school because his family expected him to follow a legal career tradition common among their social circles. He graduated with the lowest scientific degree possible after repeating the second year due to poor grades.
How long did Mikhail Vrubel work restoring St Cyril's Monastery in Kiev?
For five years he completed an enormous number of paintings including murals and icons for St Cyril's church. His contract specified completion of four icons within 76 days earning 300 rubles paid every 24 working days.
Why is The Demon Seated considered significant in Mikhail Vrubel's career?
The painting became most famous among his Demon series yet freest from literary associations. Colors used had brittle crystal-like quality emphasizing lifelessness sterility coldness reflected in surrounding nature.
When did Mikhail Vrubel marry Nadezhda Zabela?
They were engaged on July 28 and held their honeymoon at a guesthouse in Lucerne. They married later that fall 1896 when he took a short contract at Kharkov opera city.