Tuesday Art ATTACK- Boris Kustodiev “Shrovetide”

Imperial Russian artist and stage designer Boris Kustodiev was born in Astrakhan, Russia in 1878. His father died when he was very young and he was raised by his mother. Kustodiev studied with Russian artist Ilya Repin at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. Repin felt he had a great talent and nurtured his skill. Kustodiev became known for his detailed and interesting work in oil. Kustodiev's most famous works are his vivid portraits of Tsar Nicholas II, Feodor Chaliapin, and Nikolay Semyonov. In 1909 Kustodiev contracted tuberculosis of the spine and became very ill. This would eventually lead to him becoming paraplegic in 1916. Kustodiev was not slowed down by his illness and remained active painting and creating stage designs for Russian Operas. This painting was created in 1916 and is a great example of his beautiful color palette. Kustodiev passed away in 1927.