Vasily Perov

Born as the illegitimate son of a Baron, his original surname was Vasiliev. His later surname 'Perov' was derived from a nickname given by his calligraphy teacher, meaning 'feather' or 'pen'.¹

In 1853, he entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He excelled there, winning a major gold medal in 1861 for 'Sermon in a Village', which earned him a state-paid trip abroad.¹

From 1862, he traveled through Paris and Germany, observing local street life. He depicted people living on the fringes of urban society, such as organ-grinders and ragpickers, with a keen eye.¹

In the late 1860s, Perov produced masterpieces like 'Troika' and 'Hunters at Rest'. He established his fame by realistically depicting the sorrows and daily lives of the Russian people.¹

In 1871, he became a founding member of the 'Peredvizhniki' (The Wanderers), a group formed to protest academic restrictions, bringing significant change to the Russian art world.¹

From 1871, he served as a professor at his alma mater, the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, playing a central role in the Russian Realist movement while mentoring students.¹

In 1882, he passed away from tuberculosis at the age of 48. He was buried at the Donskoy Cemetery in Moscow and remains a legendary figure in Russian art history.¹