Sergei Ivanoff

Painter, graphic artist. Born in Moscow in the family of Pyotr Ivanov (1893). Studied at the Moscow Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (1903–17, with intervals), engraving under Vladimir Kozlinsky at the Imperial Academy of Arts (from 1918) and painting under Dmitry Kardovsky and Osip Braz at the Imperial Academy of Arts (from 1920). Influenced by a trip through the Volga region, he created a series of illustrations (1922), later used as illustrations for his book Hunger in Bolshevik Russia (Paris, 1924). Emigrated to Finland (1922) and joined his wife and children in Paris (1923). Worked for L’Illustration and Plaisir de France magazines (1930s–40s) and in publications for fashion houses. Worked on two series of works entitled Cathedrals of France and Hôtel Drouot (1940). Moved to the United States (1950), where he was awarded American citizenship (1951). Returned to France (early 1960s). Travelled in Europe, Brazil and Argentina. Awarded a gold medal award from the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Painted landscapes, genre scenes and portraits of such major arts figures as Alexander Benois, Serge Lifar and Vyacheslav Ivanov and hierarchs of the Catholic church, including Pope Pius IX (1937). Travelled across the American continent for over a decade, painting many portraits. Returned to France (late 1960s). Member of the Salon des Indépendants. Awarded a gold medal by France’s first minister for cultural affairs André Malraux (1966). Died in Paris (1983). Contributed to many exhibitions in France and other countries.