Argun Nikolai

1770 (St. Petersburg) - 1828 (Moscow)

painter, graphic artist, miniaturist.

born in the family of IP Argunova - serf painter Count NP Sheremetev, brother of the architect PI Argunova. He studied under the guidance of his father. From 1788 he lived in Moscow. In 1793 sent to St. Petersburg to continue their studies. In 1798 received permission to copy pictures of the Hermitage, executed copies of paintings by Rembrandt, A. Kaufman.

In the 1800's - 1810-s he lived alternately in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 1801 he participated in decorating the palace in the suburban estate Sheremetyevy Ostankino and their Moscow apartment on Vozdvizhenka. In 1806, direct the paintings in the building of the hospice home in Moscow. After his death in the same year his brother, led the beautification Sheremetyevy home in St. Petersburg (Fountain House) and give Ulyanka near St. Petersburg.

In 1809, after the death of Sheremetev, released on the rent. He settled in Moscow. December 22, 1815, according to the will of the graph, obtained his freedom. In 1816 he was awarded the title of the portraits of "appointed" in academics. In 1818, a portrait of Senator PS Runich elected academician IAH. Had a few students - Ivan Melnikov, Mikhail Zatsepin and Peter Pozdeeva.

Retrospective exhibition of paintings held in 1950 and 1971 in the Museum-Estate "Ostankino". In 1975 the Museum-estate "Kuskovo" held the exhibition "Fortress artists Argunova" dedicated to the families of the masters.

Argunov - one of the greatest portrait painters of the first third of the XIX century. Most of his life the master of his art existed apart from the contemporary art environment. Related to this is some archaic pictorial language, but at the same identities and the fascination of art and the artist. Portraits Argunova different variety convincing psychological characteristics, objective approach to nature, devoid of the classic and romantic idealization of heroic models. Among the best works of the master portraits T. Shlykova-Garnet (1789), Vanya Yakimova in the costume Cupid (1790), the Derzhavin (1800-1801), PI Kowalewo Zhemchugova (1803), N. Sheremetev (1800-e), AM Dmitriev-Mamonova (1812), MI Sokolova (1820 ).

Argunova works are in many museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, State Russian Museum, State Hermitage Museum, State Historical Museum, the Museum-Estate Ostankino, the State Museum of Ceramics and the estate "Kuskovo XVIII Century ».