Artists · 10

Sergei Ivanov studied peasants and migrants while travelling through Russian provinces. He later turned to pre-Petrine history, using direct observation to develop costumes and figures.

Apollinary Vasnetsov, Viktor’s younger brother, worked in landscape, historical painting and theatre design and taught at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.

Isaak Brodsky studied with Repin and travelled through Europe after graduating from the Academy. Meeting Maxim Gorky brought him to Capri, where he painted Italy.

Fyodor Bruni came from an Italian artistic family, trained in St Petersburg and worked extensively in Rome. Historical, mythological and religious painting formed the core of his practice.

Nikolai Sapunov worked in painting and stage design during Russian Symbolism. His studies joined independent colour ideas with practical theatrical requirements.

Konstantin Somov grew up in the family of Hermitage curator Andrei Somov and encountered European art early.

Mikhail Petrovich Klodt concentrated on everyday subjects and human relationships. He should be distinguished from the landscape painter Mikhail Konstantinovich Klodt.

Konstantin Makovsky grew up in a Moscow family closely connected with art and music.

Cross was a French painter who systematically divided colour into small dots and strokes. In 1891 rheumatoid arthritis led him to move to Cabasson on the Côte d’Azur.

Georges Lemmen worked in Belgium and belonged to Les XX, whose exhibitions introduced Brussels audiences to new European art.

Odilon Redon combined observation of nature with fantastic imagery. As a young man he met the botanist Armand Clavaud, who encouraged his interest in plants.

Puvis de Chavannes created large painted ensembles for museums, universities and public buildings. His allegorical figures represent the arts, sciences and ideas about an ideal society.

Fantin-Latour studied with his artist father, copied old masters at the Louvre and briefly attended Courbet’s school.