The image size of this print is 22 X 28 with Ample margins

SPRING by V Borisov-Musatov

Viktor Elpidiforovich Borisov-Musatov (1870-1905)

Vikior Borisov-Musatov, who became known as the creator of what one might call elegies in painting was the son of a railway official and was born in Saratov. When he was three he fell and damaged his spinal cord, and this childhood injury had a certain effect on the future artist's character: even at an early age he tended to be dreamy and reserved and liked to be alone.

In 1884 Borisov-Musatov entered the Saratov college, where he was taught drawings by F. Vasiliev, and later by V. Konovalov, who arrived from St. Petersburg. Both teachers noticed his unusual abilities, and soon Borisov-Musatov left the college to concentrate himself seriously to painting. From Konovalov he received his first technical skills and his first aesthetic values. At this period he drew a great deal (mostly domestic scenes) and painted the picture *A Window* (1886, TG), which gives a detailed, but almost illusory impression of a corner of the garden as seen from a window of his house.

In August 1890 the young artist went to Moscow and joined the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Dissatisfied with his studies there, he left after a year for St.Petersburg where he attended the Academy as an external student and also the private studio of the well-known teacher Pavel Chistyakov. In the spring of 1893, after an operation, the artist had to leave St. Petersburg because of its climate and returned to Moscow and the School there.

Borisov-Musatov usually spent the summers in Saratov, where he painted a large number of etudes, principally landscapes. His success in painting from nature is evident in the picture *May Flowers* (1894, RM). In this sunny landscape one can feel the immediate fresh perception of life which was so characteristic of Borisov-Musatov's work of this period.

In the autumn of 1895 the artist went to Paris. In order to complete his artistic training he studied under the historical painter and teacher Fernand Cormon - did a lot of drawing, and visited the Louvre where he particularly admired the Botticellis. Of the French artists he met, he was closest to Pierre Puvis de Chavannes.

On his return to Russia three years later he settled once more in Saratov. From now on his works began to show his own distinctive hand, his own vision of the world.

Borisov-Musatov's career in art came on the threshold of a new century a complex period, rich in great creative personalities. And like Vrubel, Nesterov, Serov and Levitan, he developed a distinctive, highly original approach to art.

A nice Art Print of Victorian Lady in a Garden looking at a large house.