Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin
Russian painter (1878–1939)
Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin (Russian: Кузьма́ Серге́евич Петро́в-Во́дкин; November 5, [O. S. 24 October] 1878 – February 15, 1939) was a Russian and Soviet painter. His early iconographic work used special creative effects based on the curve of the globe, but its images were considered blasphemous by the Russian Orthodox Church. However he went on to become the first president of the Leningrad Union of Soviet Artists. His autobiographical writings attracted much praise, and have enjoyed a later revival. He was one of the members of the art association ‘The Four Arts’, which existed in Moscow and Leningrad in 1924-1931.
Biography
Early years
Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk (Saratov Oblast) into the family of a local shoemaker. His first exposure to art was in his early childhood, when he took some lessons from a couple of icon painters and a signmaker. Still, Petrov-Vodkin didn't quite see himself in art at that time; after graduating from middle school, he took a summer job at a small shipyard with plans to get into railroad college in Samara. After failing his exam, he turned to "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" in 1896
In April 1895, Burov died and for some time Petrov-Vodkin took different painting jobs in the vicinity of Saratov. By chance, his mother's employer invited a well-known architect, Robert Meltzer (ru).
“Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin” enters the record as russian painter (1878–1939). Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Kuzma, Petrov-Vodkin and Russian can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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