KISELEV Alexander Alexandrovich

June 6, 1838 (Sveaborg) — January 20, 1911 (St. Petersburg)

Painter, graphic artist

Alexander Kiselev was born to a military family. From 1852 till 1858 he studied at the 2nd Cadet Corps in St. Petersburg, but he did not finish the course. In 1858 he entered St. Petersburg University, the faculty of history and philology, which he graduated in 1861. Since 1862 he studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts (IAKh): at first as a noncredit student, later — as a full-time student at the class of landscape under S. M. Vorobiev. In 1862 Kiselev was awarded small silver medal, in 1863 — big silver medal for the painting View of Novgorod Province. In 1864 he was conferred a title of class painter of 2nd degree. He often took part in the Academy exhibitions.

In 1864–1875 Kiselev lived in Kharkov. He was engaged in advocacy, in icon painting; he also gave painting lessons, wrote articles for local newspapers and magazines. In 1875 Kiselev moved to Moscow. In the same year he took part in the exhibition of the Society of Travelling Art Exhibitions (TPKhV), in 1876 he joined the Society, and became permanent exhibitor of the exhibitions of the Itinerants (till 1911). Kiselev was a member of Moscow Society of Art Lovers. He made several trips to Caucasus. In 1882 he traveled through Germany and France, in 1888 — Italy and France, in 1908 he visited France again. In 1893 Kiselev was elected a member of the Imperial Academy of Arts (IAKh).

Since 1891 Kiselev published his articles in the magazine Artist (“Actor”), in 1893–1894 he headed art department of the magazine. He participated in organization of the 1st congress of Russian artists and art lovers in Moscow.

Since 1895 Kiselev lived in St. Petersburg. In 1895–1897 he worked as an education inspector at the Higher Art Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (VKhU) under the IAKh. Since 1897 he headed landscape studio in the Institute. In 1899 he was elected academician. Kiselev showed his works at the World exhibition in Paris in 1900.

Alexander Kiselev is one of the significant Russian landscape painters of the second half of the 19th century. His works are characterized by narrative style and detailed composition. The artist painted not only landscapes of so called quiet corners of Russian nature, close to traditions of the Itinerants, but also a lot of panoramic views in academic style for the art market.

Works by Alexander Kiselev are in many museum collections in Russia, including the State Russian Museum, the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and many others.