Alexander Alexeyev

Painter, draughtsman, engraver, teacher. Serf of the landowner O. N. Kuminova in Tver Province. Worked as an apprentice of Nikifor Krylov at the Convent of St Nicholas at Terebeni in Tver Province (1823–24), where he was spotted by Alexei Venetsianov (1825), who invited him to St Petersburg (1826). Awarded a grant by the Society for the Encouragement of Artists (1826) and attended classes at the Imperial Academy of Arts (from 1826). Lithographed the paintings of Alexei Venetsianov (1826). Awarded a minor silver medal (1827), minor gold medal (1829) and the title of free artist and emancipation from serfdom (1832). Painted icons for the chapel of the Obukhovo Hospital in St Petersburg (1827–28) and copied paintings in the Imperial Hermitage (1832–35). Taught in Pskov, Arkhangelsk and Olonets Provinces (from 1835).