Pyotr Sokolov

Along his sons Pyotr, Pavel and Aleksandr, all fellow artisans, he was an in-law to the extended Bryullov family.

Pyotr Sokolov studied at Imperial Academy of Arts. The recorded working language is Russian. The field of work recorded is painting. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are portrait. Places of work recorded in the authority are Moscow. Work by Pyotr Sokolov is recorded in the collections of National Museum in Warsaw, Royal Collections of the Netherlands, State Historical Museum, Tretyakov Gallery and National Pushkin Museum.

• Native Name — Пётр Соколов • Born — 1791 • Birthplace — Moscow • Died — 3 August 1848 • Place of death — Merchik, Kharkov Governorate • Known for — Watercolor painting • Style — Academism • Education — Alumni • Elected — Member • Children — five, including Pyotr (1821–1899), Pavel (1826–1905), and Aleksandr (1829–1913)

Sokolov was born in Moscow, and between the years of 1800 to 1809 he attended the Imperial Academy of Arts where he studied with Alexei Yegorov and Vasily Shebuyev who both were very famous and respected artists. In 1809, Sokolov painted "Andromache Mourning Hector" ("Андромаха оплакивает убитого Гектора") for his alma mater's competition, receiving a minor gold medal as well as the title of "Artist". As part of the Academy's offerings, the students who won the major gold medal were also awarded a stipend to go abroad to enhance their education. Sokolov wanted to continue his education in Italy, so he stayed in school for one more year and participated in the contest again, but he did not manage to achieve this goal.

Sokolov captured numerous people in his portraits, starting with fellow artists and ending with veterans of the Patriotic War of 1812. Amongst those people individuals such as Alexander Pushkin and Vasily Zhukovsky, who were famous Russian poets, were included as well. Additionally, Sokolov received many commissions from various high-ranking persons. For example, the artist was invited by the imperial family to Anichkov Palace where he painted a portrait of Nicholas I of Russia's three-year-old son, Alexander, and the work was a success with the family. Some of Sokolov's commissioners repeatedly requested works from him. One of the people who were painted three times was Ekaterina Pavlovna Bakunina. She was depicted in the years 1816, 1828 and 1834. In her first portrait which was done in pencil, she is depicted as a youthful lady. In the aquarelle work of 1828, Sokolov managed to convey the features that were socially desirable and attractive at that time in her portrait. As for the 1834 portrait, one can easily see how Sokolov depicted Bakunina (now Poltoratskaya) as a married woman. Over the course of his life he created over 500 artworks, and not only are they found in private collections, since they are extremely valuable, but also in famous government museums such as the State Russian Museum, the State Tretyakov Gallery, and many others.

• Illustration — Prince Pyotr Vyazemsky, 1824 • Illustration — Vasily Zhukovsky, 1820s • Illustration — Portrait of a Noblewoman, believed to be Idalia Poletika, c. 1825–1830 • Illustration — Yulia Sokolova (née Julie Brüllo), the painter's spouse, c. 1827 • Illustration — Grand Duke Alexander Nikolayevich, 1828 • Illustration — Yekaterina Pavlovna Bakunina, 1828 • Illustration — Leontiy Dubbelt, 1834 • Illustration — Alexander Pushkin, c. 1836–1841 • Illustration — Alexei Lvov, 1836 • Illustration — Yelizaveta Mikhailovna Khitrovo, 1838

The authorities additionally record the headings Pierre Théodore Sokoloff, Petr Fedorovič Sokolov, Piotr Fiodorovitch Sokoloff, Petr Fedorovich Sokolov and Pierre Theodore Sokoloff. His recorded language was Russian. 3 children are recorded: Pyotr Sokolov, Pavel Sokolov and Aleksandr Sokolov.