Alexander Ivanov

Alexander Ivanov studied at Imperial Academy of Arts. Ivan Shapovalov is recorded as having studied under Alexander Ivanov. The recorded working language is Russian. The field of work recorded is painting. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are history. Places of work recorded in the authority are Italy. Works named in the authority record are Appearance of Jesus Christ to Maria Magdalena. Work by Alexander Ivanov is recorded in the collections of Rumyantsev Museum, Tretyakov Gallery, Russian Museum, Hermitage Museum and Kiev National Picture Gallery. Distinctions recorded are Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts.

• Native Name — Александр Андреевич Иванов • Born — 16 July 1806 • Birthplace — St. Petersburg, Russian Empire • Died — 3 July 1858 • Place of death — St. Petersburg, Russian Empire • Resting Place — Tikhvin Cemetery, St. Petersburg • Known for — History painting • Education — Alumni • Elected — Member • Awards — Medal

Alexander Andreyevich was born to an art professor Andrey Ivanov. Aged 11, he entered the Imperial Academy of Arts and studied at his father's course together with Karl Briullov. For his good achievements he was awarded with two silver medals, in 1824 he received a golden medal for the painting 'Priam Asking Achilles to Return Hector's Body'. In 1827 he was honoured with the Big Gold Medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts for 'Joseph interprets the butler's and the baker's dreams' and was promoted to the XIV grade artists. Ivanov's benefactors decided to send him abroad to study art, but required one more picture, thus he creates 'Bellerophon sent to a campaign against the Chimera'. In 1830 Ivanov departs to Europe, first in Germany, then to Italy.

Ivanov's first works in Rome were copies of The Creation of Adam of the Sistine Chapel and some drafts of Biblical scenes. Likely under impression from Karl Bryullov's success with The Last Day of Pompeii, he dreamed to create an epic painting of the Messiah coming to people, but first he decided to try himself on lesser-scale picture. In 1834–1835 he finished Appearance of Jesus Christ to Maria Magdalena. The painting had great success both in Rome and St. Petersburg. The Russian Imperial Academy of Arts granted Ivanov an honorary academic degree in 1836. He spent most of his life in Rome, where he befriended Gogol and was influenced by the Nazarenes.

Ivanov spent 20 years (1837–1857) in Rome, working on his greatest masterpiece The Appearance of Christ Before the People.

Ivanov died of cholera on July 3, 1858. He was buried in St. Petersburg at the Novodevichy Cemetery. In 1936, he was reburied with the transfer of the monument to the Tikhvin Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

• Illustration — The Appearance of Christ Before the People (1837–57) • Illustration — Noli me tangere, 1835 • Illustration — Joseph interprets the butler's and the baker's dreams, 1827 • Illustration — Priam Asking Achilles to Return Hector's Body, 1824 • Illustration — Apollo, Hyacinthus and Cyparis singing and playing, 1831–1834 • Illustration — Bellerophon sent to a campaign against the Chimera, 1829 • Illustration — Joseph's Brothers Find the Silver Goblet in Benjamin's Pack, 1831–1833 • Illustration — Appian Way at Sunset, 1845 • Illustration — Last supper, 1850 • Illustration — Vittoria Caldoni, 1834 • Illustration — Nikolai Gogol, 1841 • Illustration — A. A. Ivanov 1956 commemorative postage stamp of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.