Alexey Bogolyubov's origins trace back to the quaint Pomeranie village in Novgorod Gubernia. His father, Pyotr Bogolyubov, stood as a retired colonel, while his maternal lineage boasted the esteemed philosopher Alexander Radishchev.

Following his graduation from military school in 1841, Bogolyubov embarked on a noteworthy naval career, venturing alongside the fleet on extensive journeys. In 1849, a pivotal chapter commenced as he enrolled at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts under the mentorship of Maxim Vorobiev. Guided by the luminous influence of Ivan Ayvazovsky, his prowess flourished, culminating in the award of a major Gold medal upon his 1853 graduation. This marked his transition from naval service to the illustrious post of artist at the Navy headquarters.

Between 1854 and 1860, Bogolyubov's odyssey led him across the expanse of Europe, yielding a prolific body of work. Rome bore witness to his tutelage under the esteemed Alexander Ivanov, who championed the refinement of his drawing skills. Düsseldorf further honed his craft under the watchful eye of the accomplished painter Andreas Achenbach. In Paris, he found inspiration among the luminaries of the Barbizon School. Particularly, the camaraderie forged with French painters Camille Corot and Charles-François Daubigny was a cornerstone of his artistic journey. Additionally, his contributions to the frescoes in the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stand as a testament to his multifaceted talents.

The year 1860 witnessed Bogolyubov's return to Russian soil, where he graced the Academy with his exhibitions and was bestowed the honorary title of professor. He further enriched the Academy's tapestry by sharing his expertise with aspiring artists. The 1860s witnessed a transformative evolution in his artistic style, steering away from Romanticism towards a resolute commitment to naturalism, a transition vividly embodied in his evocative Volga River series. The culmination of his journey was marked by his election to the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1871.

The onset of the 1870s witnessed Bogolyubov's close alignment with the dynamic Wanderers art movement. He not only contributed significantly to their exhibitions but also assumed a prominent role within their ranks. Despite his seniority, he harbored reservations about some of their societal ideals. In an act of solidarity with fellow Itinerants, he parted ways with the Academy in 1873 and embarked on a bold endeavor to establish an alternative Russian Academy of Arts in the heart of Rome.

Post-1873, Paris became the sanctuary for Bogolyubov, offering respite for his ailing heart. His abode became a vibrant nucleus for the Russian artistic intelligentsia, hosting luminaries like Ivan Turgenev, Ilya Yefimovich Repin, Vasily Polenov, Mark Antokolski, and Vasili Vasilyevich Vereshchagin.

The year 1885 witnessed the inauguration of the Radischev Art Museum in Saratov, a poignant dedication to his revered grandfather. This museum flung open its doors to the public, outpacing both the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg by several years, a deliberate challenge to established authority.

Bogolyubov departed from this world on February 3, 1896, in Paris. His lasting legacy can be found in the museum and his hallowed painting school, forever known as Bogolyubov's Painting School. This institution incubated a lineage of influential modernist painters including Victor Borisov-Musatov, Alexei Karev, and Pavel Kuznetsov.