PROKOFIEV Ivan Prokofievich

January 24, 1758 (St. Petersburg) - February 10, 1828 (St. Petersburg)

sculptor, graphic artist.

was born in the family "cutting-wizard Konyushennaya part" (saddler). In 1764, a summon from Gough commissary office, to which was ascribed to his father's service department, and is defined in an educational school IAH. In 1773 he studied at the "sculptural-statuynom" class IAH initially under the leadership N.-F. Gillet, from 1776 - at FG Gordeeva. During the period of study took all existing academic awards: in 1772 and 1774 was awarded two small silver medals in 1773 and 1775 - large silver medals (all - for sculpting), in 1775 - a small gold medal for the relief of Abraham brought his son Isaac as a sacrifice, "in 1778 - a large gold medal for the bas-relief program" The Curse of Ham ". Released from the academy with a certificate of degree 1 for the title of class artist and the right of a pensioner's travel abroad. In 1779 the head, representing the "contempt", received the Medal of NA Demidov, and AF Rzhevskaya "for the expression».

In the same year as a pensioner IAH went to Paris on his way to visit Berlin, Hamburg and Strasbourg. Improve their skills at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture by P. Julien. He studied the works of contemporary French portrait painters - JA Houdon, Jean-Bertrand Lemoine, O. Pazhu, Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. Served with sketches of works by Raphael, Michelangelo, N. Poussin, E. Bushardona. In 1778 received from the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture second silver medal for sculpting from life. In the same year took part in the competition for the Grand Prix at the Royal Academy, which satisfy the prescribed program for the relief of "The Resurrection of the dead, thrown on the bones of the prophet Elisha, but the prize was not awarded.

the summer of 1784 he returned to Russia. On the way visit to Berlin, where he was modeling at the Royal Academy of Arts. In the same year for his work "Morpheus", created in Paris, recognized as "designated" in academics, and established teacher sculpture class IAH. In 1785 a program "Acteon, pursued by dogs" was awarded the title of academician. In the same year appointed associate professor in the sculptural class IAH. In 1800 awarded the title of professor. In 1801, on behalf of the IAH teach pupils wax sculpting class medal in 1802 worked with the students of class of the deceased Professor MI Kozlovsky. In 1803 he was elected to the Council of IAH. In 1819, approved by a senior professor. Among his pupils - S. Pimenov, FP, Tolstoy and others.

worked in the easel, decorative, monumental, memorial sculpture. Created a series of portrait busts (II Betsky, 1788; EP Baryatinsky, the end of XVIII; AF and AE Labzin, 1802). Took part in the sculptural decoration of ensembles of St. Petersburg and its suburbs: the Stroganov Palace, home Betsky, the Academy of Arts, the Pavlovsk Palace, Tauride Palace, the buildings of the Imperial Public Library, the Sea Cadet Corps, the Mikhailovsky Castle. For the Kazan Cathedral created a "huge" relief "Adoration of the copper serpent" in the attic of the Western Colonnade (1804-1806), the figure of "Hope" for the iconostasis (1810). In the late 1790's - early 1800 the group performed "Triton is holding a horn of plenty", the statue "The Shepherd Assis" and "Volkhov" for the Grand Cascade of fountains in Peterhof.

lot of work on the assignments of IAH. In the late 1790's involved in inspection and inventory of busts in Peterhof, in 1798-1804 - restoration of sculpture Gatchina, Peterhof and Pavlovsk. In 1817 was recruited as an expert on assessing the quality and safety of imported from abroad, marble groups for Horse Guards arena.

In 1960 the State Russian Museum held a retrospective exhibition of works by masters.

Prokofiev - an outstanding Russian artist Classical period, known primarily as a master of relief and an excellent draftsman. The terms of his artistic tastes were very extensive: in his work appealed to antiquity, painting and plastics of the Renaissance and Baroque works of modern French artists, while remaining true to the style of classicism and the integrity of individual manners. For his work is characterized by strict form, clarity and steadiness of composite construction. In his reliefs master avoided complex camera angles, sharp movements and illusory depth, with its amazing sense of plastic nature, precision and accuracy of observations, vitality characteristics. Prokofiev seldom resorted to sophisticated language of allegory, peculiar Kozlovsky and Ivan Martos. In his compositions there is no full-scale narrative and dramatic action. Image rights sculptor treated not with the public, "citizenship" positions, as Kozlovsky, but in a more intimate, lyrical terms.

Despite the astonishing creative productivity and hard work (the list of works of masters, compiled by NP Sobko, has over four hundred sculptures), to this day remained relatively small. He did not neglect any kinds of sculptural work. Along with a series of portrait busts, decorative statues and bas-reliefs, carried out the orders poluremeslennogo character - copies of other people's works, emblems and masks for facades, stucco ornaments and trophies to decorate the graves, all kinds of work in small decorative plastic rings and medallions for. However, the abundance of orders leaves little time for the sculptor in bronze or marble. Not all of them made it even molded in plaster. Most Prokofiev used the fragile terracotta. Therefore, most of his works known to us by name and, in part, the drawings of the sculptor.

Prokofiev is represented in several museum collections, including the State Russian Museum, State Tretyakov Gallery, the Scientific Research Museum of Russia Academy of Arts and others.