Born into a Russified Greek family
In 1842 Arkhip Ivanovich Kuindzhi was born in Mariupol into a family of Greek origin. In translation from Urum, the surname Kuindzhi means "master of golden deeds." The future artist's father was a shoemaker and a small-scale farmer, but the family actually lived below the poverty line. In early childhood Arkhip was orphaned and went to live with his uncle's family. The boy had to work hard from an early age to earn his bread: he never received a full, systematic education. However, his love of art awakened very early.
Studied painting under Aivazovsky
In his teens, on recommendation he went to Feodosiya to study with the celebrated marine painter Ivan Aivazovsky, but did not find the artist at home. For two months Kuindzhi took lessons from Aivazovsky's pupil Adolf Fessler. On returning to Mariupol Kuindzhi found work as a retoucher in a photo studio, then moved to Taganrog, and later to Odessa, while still hoping to study personally with Aivazovsky. The second attempt proved successful — Kuindzhi joined the "General Art Workshop." However, he studied there for only a short time: soon Aivazovsky personally asked that Kuindzhi be accepted into the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts.
A. I. Kuindzhi in the 1870s.
Admitted to the Imperial Academy of Arts on his third attempt
In 1868, after several failures to gain admission to the Academy of Arts, Kuindzhi created the masterpiece "A Tatar Saklya in Crimea." This work brought the artist recognition and the title of a free artist. In 1870, having received the rank of a non-class artist, Kuindzhi became a free listener at the Imperial Academy of Arts. During the same period he grew close to the outstanding Peredvizhniki Kramskoi and Repin, who had a significant influence on the formation of his creative identity.
A. I. Kuindzhi among the Peredvizhniki painters (standing fourth from the left). Photograph by A. I. Denier. 1888.
Valaam was his "place of power"
The Valaam archipelago occupied a special place not only in the artist's creative biography but also in his personal life. The northern landscape inspired him to create the famous landscapes "Lake Ladoga" and "On the Island of Valaam" — the latter was purchased by Pavel Tretyakov, who began his collection of Kuindzhi with it. Kuindzhi went to Valaam on his honeymoon with his young wife. On Lake Ladoga their boat was shipwrecked and the couple miraculously survived.
Arkhip Kuindzhi. On the Island of Valaam. 1873.
Made a major tour of Europe
In a letter to Repin, Kuindzhi wrote that in just a couple of months he had traveled through almost all of Europe and managed to visit Switzerland, Vienna, Munich, London, Paris, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Berlin. In Vienna, at the World's Fair, the Academy exhibited his painting "On the Island of Valaam."
He was one of the best-selling painters of his time
Kuindzhi became a successful and sought-after artist even during his lifetime: his paintings were bought by wealthy collectors and members of the imperial family, and his exhibitions were attended by thousands. For his famous painting "Moonlit Night on the Dnieper" the artist received a colossal sum for that time — 5,000 rubles. The buyer was Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich, who highly valued the masterpiece. The artist also sold oleographs — printed reproductions of his paintings finished with oil paint. They were very popular.
Arkhip Kuindzhi. Moonlit Night on the Dnieper. 1880.
Was active in public life and taught
In the second half of his life Kuindzhi was active in public affairs and headed the landscape workshop of the Higher Art School at the Academy of Arts, financially supported young painters and helped organize the annual spring exhibitions; he personally financed trips for his painting class to Crimea and abroad. Among his students were Nicholas Roerich, Arkady Rylov, Konstantin Bogaevsky and Alexander Borisov.
A. I. Kuindzhi among graduates of the Higher Art School and students of his landscape workshop after a competition. Photograph by A. Pozetti. 1897.
Spent 20 years in creative seclusion
At the peak of his creative career Kuindzhi stopped participating in exhibitions and only in 1901 held a series of private showings in his personal studio. Close friends and the public were astonished to find that Kuindzhi had been working throughout his voluntary seclusion, and that his canvases had become even more impactful.
Founded the Kuindzhi Art Society
In 1909, at the initiative of the master, his associates and students, the Kuindzhi Art Society was founded; it existed until 1930. The Society continued Arkhip Ivanovich's public work — supporting young artists and systematizing the painter's legacy. According to Kuindzhi's will, all his estate, except for a small sum for his wife and relatives, passed to the Society.
Inauguration of the Kuindzhi Society. 1909.
Died of pneumonia at the age of 68
During his last trip to Crimea Kuindzhi contracted pneumonia but managed to return to Petersburg. There the artist's condition worsened, although before his death Kuindzhi was able to see his students. Arkhip Ivanovich was buried at the Smolensky Cemetery. A monument was erected at his grave, on which architect Alexey Shchusev, sculptor Vladimir Beklemishev and artist Nicholas Roerich collaborated.
Grave of A. I. Kuindzhi at the Tikhvin Cemetery in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra (St. Petersburg). Photo: Wikimedia Commons
