Valentin Serov. One of the premiere portrait artists of his time

Overview.
Biography and early career of Valentin Serov.
Serov-peredvizhnik.
Serov and “Mir iskusstva”.

“Self-portrait”, Valentin Serov,
paper, graphite pencil 1880s
Biography.
Born: January 7, 1865 in St. Petersburg.
Education: Academy of Fine Arts in Petersburg.
Dates:
1882 - 1885 - Serov studied at the Academy of Fine Arts.
1894 - Serov joined the Peredvizhniki.
1898 - Serov became more closely associated group “Mir iskusstva”.
Died: 5 December 1911 in Moscow.

As a student and in his early career, he dabbled in graphic artistry, stage designing, and book illustrations.

Early career.

Serov-peredvizhnik.
In this portrait of his painter friend, Serov uses earthy, dark colors in every part of the painting, except for the red and white striped pillow where Korovin rests his right arm. The color here was meant highlight Korovin as an artist and the brush in his right hand.

Serov and “Mir iskusstva”
Figures in this work are much flatter, his paintbrush stroke much broader, and the curves found in the waves of the ocean to the horns of the bull are exaggerated.