Ivan Pelevin
/1840-1917/
Ivan Pelevin was a prominent artist and mosaicist, esteemed as an academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts. His creative prowess flourished within the realm of genre painting, where he emerged as one of the most prolific artists of the latter half of the 19th century.
Born in St. Petersburg, Pelevin embarked on his artistic journey at the prestigious Imperial Academy of Arts in 1856. His exceptional talent garnered recognition, earning him a small silver medal for a nature sketch in 1861. Completing his studies in 1862, he attained the title of a non-class artist. Notably, his remarkable paintings "Seamstress" and "Reading the newspaper" secured him the esteemed distinction of class artist of the third degree in 1864.
Pelevin's artistic pursuits expanded to the mosaic department of the Academy fr om 1868 to 1874. The year 1869 marked a significant milestone in his career when he was bestowed the prestigious title of academician of genre painting. This honor was in recognition of his remarkable works, including "Young Mother," "Village seamstress," "Children's breakfast," "Village Pester," "Two enemies," and "Etude of a girl."
In 1874, Pelevin ventured to Vilna, wh ere he served under the Governor-General of Vilna, Kovno, and Grodno until 1884. Throughout the 1860s, he actively participated in exhibitions hosted by the Academy of Arts, while also showcasing his works at international exhibitions in London (1862) and Paris (1878). His artistic contributions were further recognized at the All-Russian Exhibition in Moscow (1882).
The illustrious career of Ivan Andreevich Pelevin drew to a close in St. Petersburg, where he peacefully passed away on July 18, 1917. His legacy endures as a testament to his profound impact on Russian art and his remarkable contributions to genre painting.