Ivan Petrovich Pozhalostin

Ivan Petrovich Pozhalostin — a Russian engraver, one of the last major masters of reproductive burin engraving. He came from a peasant family and was orphaned at an early age. At 13 he entered the Ryazan orphanage boarding school and at the same time studied drawing with a local gymnasium teacher.

After finishing the school, Pozhalostin worked for some time as a volost clerk and continued to refine his drawing skills under the guidance of the artist N. S. Efimov. In 1857 Pozhalostin entered the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he studied until 1868 in the studio of Professor F. I. Iordan. He graduated from the academy with honors and the title of class artist of the 1st degree, and in 1871 received the title of academician for the engraving "The Bearing of the Cross."

In 1872–1874, as a pensioner of the Academy, he perfected his craft in Paris and London: producing engravings and studying various techniques. Pozhalostin created numerous engravings after paintings by well-known artists, including an engraving after Perov's painting "The Bird-Catcher." His works were in high demand throughout Russia. He taught at the Academy of Arts, where he held the positions of adjunct professor (1883–1892) and professor (1892–1894). After leaving the Academy he lived in Ryazan and Solotcha. Pozhalostin's last engraving, after Korzukhin's painting "Village Feast," remained unfinished due to the artist's illness. Ivan Petrovich Pozhalostin died on December 25, 1909, and was buried in the Ryazan Kremlin.