Warneke (Varnik), Alexander G.

February 15, 1782 (St. Petersburg) - March 19, 1843 (St. Petersburg)

painter, graphic artist, sculptor.

was born in the family furniture-maker and cabinetmaker GD Varnika, moved to St. Petersburg from Danzig. In 1795 he joined the IAH. Engaged in a class of portrait painting at SS Shchukin, the advice Dmitry Levitsky. For student work repeatedly pointed medals, in 1800 received a small silver medal in 1801 - a large silver medal in 1802 - a gold medal for the program "a portrait, representing the artist." In 1803 was released from the Academy with the certificate of degree 1 for the title of the class artist, a sword and a pensioner's right to travel abroad.

in 1804 as a pensioner IAH went to Italy. He lived in Rome, studied drawing from ancient sculpture and nature, he painted portraits and landscapes. In 1809 he returned to Russia. He was summoned to work on decorating the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, which complied with the image of "Saint Mary Magdalene," for the iconostasis Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin. In 1810, for a portrait IO Potocki was awarded the title of academician. In the same year he began teaching in the portrait class IAH. In 1814 became an adviser to the Academy. In 1815 appointed head of the newly educated class of miniature painting. In 1824 he was curator of drawings and prints of the Hermitage.

After his death in 1828 led Shchukin portrait class IAH. Since 1830 he was head of the class of historical and portrait painting. In 1831 awarded the title of professor of degree 2, one year later - a professor of degree 1, in 1834 - Distinguished Professor. From 1832 - the keeper of the Cabinet of Prints and original drawings IAH. He turned to etching and lithography. Participated in exhibitions of IAH and the Society for the Encouragement of Artists.

VARNEK - one of the first masters of Russian Romanticism. He worked primarily as a portraitist. Well owning typological features a portrait, he found for each of the canvases individual artistic solution to provide a model in the most "positive light": underline its social position, or send a spiritual quality to reveal the inner world. Among the best works are portraits of AV Stupin (1804), Stroganov (1814), AN Olenin and E. (1819 pairs), sculptor Ivan Martos (1819), VI and SI Martos (mid 1810-x), NA . Tomilova in childhood with a racket for a game of shuttlecock (1825), AM Rimsky-Korsakov (1820's), as well as numerous self-portraits a different time.

Warnecke works are in many museum collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, State Russian Museum, the Scientific Research Museum of Russia Academy of Arts and others.