Zichy Mihaly (Michael A.) (Zichi Mihály)

October 15, 1827 (Hall, Austria-Hungary) - February 15, 1906 (St. Petersburg)

Painter, graphic artist

from noble families. Original art education in Budapest, in a private school under the guidance of the Italian painter Marastoni J. (1842). In 1843-1845 he took private lessons with the professor of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts FG Waldmuller. In 1847, on the recommendation Waldmuller was invited by Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia for the teaching of drawing Grand Duchess Ekaterina Mikhailovna (1848-1849). He gave private lessons in drawing and painting at homes in St. Petersburg nobility - Panins, Davydov, Tolstoy.

In 1850-1858 he worked as a retoucher in Petersburg photoworkshops G. Veningera, while engaged in portrait painting, miniatures, lithographs. In 1852 published a lithographed album Scenes du Caucase. Many worked in the techniques of drawing (pencil, charcoal, chalk), watercolor. In 1858, for sketches depicting the coronation of Alexander II was awarded the title of academician watercolor painting. In 1859-1873 and 1883-1906 served as court painter. Made a series of drawings (later lithographed) with the image of Russia's military uniforms, an album of drawings "From St. Petersburg life, to create a menu of court dinners, played scenes of hunting, the court festivals and ceremonies.

Fulfilling orders of the imperial court, while he worked as a bookstore and a coffee schedule. In 1857-1858 worked in the satirical magazine "Friends, published by NA Stepanova. Illustrated works of Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Rustaveli, as well as the Hungarian poets: S. Petofi, I . Aranya, I. Madicha and others. Author of the first illustrations for "Lay" (1853). Performed a large series of erotic drawings (and even pornographic) nature.

engage in academic announcements (1870), shows the Society of Russian watercolors (1885-1886), the World Exhibition in Paris (1878). Held solo exhibitions in St. Petersburg (1869, 1880, 1885), Vienna (1878, 1881), Budapest (1888, 1902). Founder of the Society of Artists Les Vendrediens (1857), one of the founders of the Society of Russian akvafortistov (1872), Chairman of the Mutual Association of Hungarians in Paris (since 1875).

lived in St. Petersburg (1847-1874, 1882-1906), Paris (1874-1880), winter 1878 - 1880 held in Nice, and in 1880-1881 worked in the Hall. While living in Paris, worked on the orders of the Hungarian Government. Many travel throughout Europe: in 1845 visited Italy (together with Waldmuller), 1862 - Paris, Munich, in 1871, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, France, Scotland. In July of 1881 through Trieste, Odessa, Crimea went to the Caucasus: visited Tiflis, Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk. In autumn 1882 he returned to St. Petersburg.

In 1898 he was awarded an honorary member of the IAH.

buried in Budapest.

in 1907 in St. Petersburg held a posthumous exhibition of the artist. Retrospective exhibitions were held in Budapest Zichy (1953, 1977).

Zichy - one of the biggest artists of foreigners working in Russia in the second half of the XIX century, the representative of academic art, virtuoso draftsman and watercolorist. His works are inherent powers of observation, sharpness of images, often - a light satirical touch, a variety of technical solutions, easy improvisational style of performance.

Zichy works are in many museum collections, including the State Russian Museum, State Hermitage Museum, the Scientific Research Museum of Russia Academy of Arts, State Museum-Preserve "Pavlovsk", State Tretyakov Gallery, Pushkin Museum im. Pushkin and others. In the hometown of the artist's Hall Museum is open Zichy (a subsidiary of the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest).