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Isaac Ilyich Levitan (1860-1900), also known by the Yiddish name Yizchak Levitan, grew up in an understanding and intelligent family despite poor circumstances. His Jewish background evoked lifelong humiliation, yet the painter never lost the urge to create.
In 1873 the artist entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where his brother was already trained. Among his teachers were Vasilij Polenov, Vasili Perov and Alexei Savrasov. They supported his talent and the student received financial help from the school. Often Levitan received awards for his works and won prizes in the form of paints and brushes. Nevertheless, financial problems became worse and worse until there was not enough money for living. The young artist tried to support the family by all means, but he could not prevent the death of his mother and shortly after that of his father. These events were hard for Levitan and he fell into a severe depression. At that time he was in his fourth year of teaching. He found inspiration in landscape painting and practiced it. His talent did not go undiscovered. In 1877 journalists wrote reviews about his artworks and he received material support.
For the artist, unfortunately, things went up only briefly. With the mass deportation of Jews in 1879, Levitan had to leave the city. His teachers managed to bring him back, however, the artist left school without a degree because he lacked financial means. Isaac Ilyich Levitan went to the village of Maksimovka, where he met the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov. A lifelong, deep friendship developed between the two. The artist often visited Chekhov and met his sister, with whom he fell unhappily in love.
The artist's severe financial hardship improved, but the sufferings of his early years and his unrequited love were reflected on his health. Among his admirers was the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. There was no planned personal meeting because Levitan died unexpectedly in 1900. The artist gained great respect in the circles of landscape painters for his depiction of the mood of nature.
Isaac Ilyich Levitan (1860-1900), also known by the Yiddish name Yizchak Levitan, grew up in an understanding and intelligent family despite poor circumstances. His Jewish background evoked lifelong humiliation, yet the painter never lost the urge to create.
In 1873 the artist entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where his brother was already trained. Among his teachers were Vasilij Polenov, Vasili Perov and Alexei Savrasov. They supported his talent and the student received financial help from the school. Often Levitan received awards for his works and won prizes in the form of paints and brushes. Nevertheless, financial problems became worse and worse until there was not enough money for living. The young artist tried to support the family by all means, but he could not prevent the death of his mother and shortly after that of his father. These events were hard for Levitan and he fell into a severe depression. At that time he was in his fourth year of teaching. He found inspiration in landscape painting and practiced it. His talent did not go undiscovered. In 1877 journalists wrote reviews about his artworks and he received material support.
For the artist, unfortunately, things went up only briefly. With the mass deportation of Jews in 1879, Levitan had to leave the city. His teachers managed to bring him back, however, the artist left school without a degree because he lacked financial means. Isaac Ilyich Levitan went to the village of Maksimovka, where he met the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov. A lifelong, deep friendship developed between the two. The artist often visited Chekhov and met his sister, with whom he fell unhappily in love.
The artist's severe financial hardship improved, but the sufferings of his early years and his unrequited love were reflected on his health. Among his admirers was the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. There was no planned personal meeting because Levitan died unexpectedly in 1900. The artist gained great respect in the circles of landscape painters for his depiction of the mood of nature.