Ivan Kramskoy, a Russian painter and graphic artist, was renowned for his mastery of genre, historical, and portrait painting, as well as his contributions as an art critic.

Born into a humble family in the town of Ostrogozhsk, located in the Voronezh Region of southwestern Russia, Kramskoy received a basic education at a local district school. Even during his childhood, he displayed a natural inclination towards drawing, teaching himself the art form and later experimenting with watercolors. At the age of 16, he found employment as a color correction artist for a photographer in Kharkov, Ukraine. In 1856, Kramskoy relocated to St. Petersburg, where he continued to work alongside some of the city's most talented photographers. The following year, he gained admission to the Academy of Arts, quickly showcasing his exceptional talent in drawing and painting. Throughout his time at the academy, Kramskoy rallied the progressive youth around him, taking a leading role in protesting against the contrived and commissioned works known as "programs." The graduates of the Academy formed the St. Petersburg Team, which owed its atmosphere of mutual support, collaboration, and profound spirituality to Kramskoy's influence.