A Russian Who Got the Light Just Right...

We have shared many artists from many lands, but until now there's been an absence on this blog of gifted Russian artists. I was first introduced to Russian art work through a special traveling exhibit at the D'Orsay Museum in Paris.

One painting in particular caught my attention. It was so beautifully luminous that I couldn't stop looking at it.



I had to write the name of the artist and the title of his work in my sketchbook/journal so I could find out more about him when I returned home.


The artist was Arkhip Ivanovitch Kouindji (1841-1910) also spelled Kuindzhi, Kuiniji, and, well, if you want to look him up just key in his first name. Orphaned as a six year old, he worked at a variety of menial jobs until his natural gift led to a job as a photo retoucher. He eventually went to St. Petersburg where he took some training, but remained largely self-trained.

He is recognized as a painter who sought and succeeded in transmitting "light's fullness and density." Below are a few more of his paintings showing his capture of light and mood. What's your opinion of his works? Have you ever heard of him? Please share your comments.