Born 1878, Astrakhan - Died 1927, Leningrad
Painter, graphic artist, book illustrator, theatre designer, porcelain artist, sculptor
Paintings Graphic Work Theatre Biography 
Note: some more work by this artist may be viewed in the category of Mass and Agit Art.
Paintings
Head of a Girl. 1897.
Oil on canvas, 51x37 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Portrait of A.N.Protasova. 1900.
Oil on canvas, 90x60 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Portrait of Stepan A.Nikolsky, the Artist's Uncle. 1901.
Oil on canvas, 111x92 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Portrait of the Artist I.Y.Bilibin. 1901.
Oil on canvas, 142x110 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of the Artist V.V.Mate. 1902.
Oil on canvas, 125x151 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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Peasant Women. Study for Painting "A Village Fair". 1902.
Oil on canvas, 100x78 cm.
Bishkek Museum of Fine Arts, Kyrgyzstan.
Portrait of the Artist's Wife. 1903.
Oil on canvas, 139x133 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Morning. Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Yulia Evstaf'evna Kustodieva, with Son Kirill. 1904.
Oil on canvas, 108x126.5 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of the Sculptor Naum L.Aronson. 1904.
Oil on canvas, 64.5x91 cm.
The State Picture Gallery of Armenia, Yerevan.
Self-portrait at a Hunt. 1905.
Oil on canvas, 70x109 cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
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On the Terrace. Family Portrait at Their House "Terem": the Artist with His Wife, Son and Daughter, the Children's Nanny, and the Artit's Sister with Her Husband, A.M.&V.A.Kastalsky. 1906. On the back: "Russian Venus", below.
Oil on canvas, 200x175 cm.
Nizhny Novgorod Museum of Fine Arts.
A Fair. 1906.
Gouache on paper, 66x88 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Portrait of N.A.Podsosov. 1906.
Oil on canvas, 99x125 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
The Nun Olympiada, of Staroladozhsky Uspensky Monastery. 1908.
Oil on canvas, 195x134 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Children in Fancy-Dress. 1909.
Pastel on paper, 115x97 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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Volga Promenade. 1909.
Oil on canvas, 100x125 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
A Village Holiday. 1910.
Tempera on paper, 34x101 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
By the Window. Portrait of Y.B.Kustodieva, the Artist's Daughter. 1910.
Tempera on cardboard, 104x69 cm.
Omsk Art Museum.
Portrait of N.I.Zelenskaya. 1912.
Glue paint on canvas, 106x62 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Merchants' Wives. 1912.
Tempera on cardboard, 81.5x108 cm.
Museum of Russian Art, Kiev.
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Study for Self-portrait painted for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. 1912.
Waterolor and pencil on paper, 24x25 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Red Tower of the Trinity - St.Serguis Monastery. 1912.
Oil on canvas, 67x60 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Circle Dance. 1912.
Oil on canvas, 23x37 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Parisian Boulevard at Night. 1913.
Tempera on cardboard.
Perm Art Gallery.
A Frosty Day. 1913.
Oil on canvas, 23x37 cm.
Radichev Museum, Saratov.
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Portrait of Nikolai K. von Meck. 1913.
Oil on canvas, 106x73 cm.
Sukachev Regional Art Museum, Irkutsk.
Still Life with Pheasant. 1914.
Oil on canvas, 41x40 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Harvest. 1914.
Oil on canvas, 133x133 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Easter Procession. 1915.
Oil on canvas, 158x122 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Out for a Ride (Self-portrait with Wife). 1915.
Oil on canvas, 71x87 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
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La Belle. La Belle. 1918. La Belle. 1921.
Oil on canvas, 141x185 cm. The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Oil on canvas, 81x93 cm. Tula Province Art Museum. Oil on canvas, 72x89 cm. The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow
A Merchant's Wife. 1915.
Oil on canvas, 204x109 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of the Art Historian A.I.Anisimov. 1915.
Oil on canvas, 41x33 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
An Apple and a Hundred-Ruble Banknote. 1916.
Oil on canvas, 26x44cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
Easter-Day Greetings. 1916.
Waterolor on paper, 50x42 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
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Night Grazing. 1916.
Oil on canvas, 77x88 cm.
Radichev Museum, Saratov.
Shrovetide. 1916.
Oil on canvas, 89x190 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Moscow Tavern. 1916.
Oil on canvas, 99x129 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Sketch for Group Portrait "The World of Art". From left to right: I.E.Grabar; N.K.Roerich; Y.Y.Lanceray; B.M.Kustodiev; I.Y.Bilibin; A.P.Ostroumova-Lebedeva; A.N.Benois; G.I.Narbut; K.S.Petrov-Vodkin; N.D.Miliotti; K.A.Somov; M.V.Dobuzhinsky. 1916.
Oil on canvas, 89x190 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of the Artist I.E.Grabar. Sketch for Group Portrait "The World of Art". 1916.
Oil on canvas, 106x71 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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Fair Booths. 1917.
Oil on canvas, 80x93 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Shells. 1918.
Oil on canvas, 43x43 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
The Bridge. Astrakhan. 1918.
Oil on canvas.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
A Merchant's Wife at Tea. 1918.
Oil on canvas, 120x120 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
A Merchant. From the Series "Russian Types". 1918.
Oil on canvas, 88.5x70 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg
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Portrait of the Art Collector F.F.Nothaft. 1918.
Watercolor on cardboard, 50x65 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of Composer D.V.Morozov. 1919.
Oil on canvas, 98x69 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Shrovetide. 1919.
Oil on canvas, 71x98 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Skiers. 1919.
Oil on canvas, 34x59cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of Y.Y.Kustodieva (the Artist's Wife). 1920.
Oil on canvas, 55x66 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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A Merchant's Wife With a Looking Glass. 1920.
Oil on canvas, 142x102 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
A Little Blue House. 1920.
Oil on canvas, 97x80cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
Trinity Sunday. 1920.
Oil on canvas, 110x110 cm.
Radichev Museum, Saratov.
Pastry Baker. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Vegetable Vendor. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 34x28.5 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
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Tavern Keeper. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Trunk Maker. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
A Sailor with a Girl. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
A Merchant. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
A Merchant in a Fur Coat. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
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Cabbie. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Waiter. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Cabbie in a Tavern. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Merry-go-round. From the Series "Russian Types". 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 33x28 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Portrait of Artist I.I.Brodsky. 1920.
Watercolor on paper, 40x35 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
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Spring. 1921.
Oil on canvas, 66x89 cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
Bathing Beauty. 1921.
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Bathing Hut. 1921.
Oil on canvas, 72x71 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Epiphany. 1921.
Oil on canvas, 89x74 cm.
Private collection, Moscow.
Portrait of Prof. Pyotr L.Kapitsa and Prof. Nikolai N.Semyonov. 1921.
Oil on canvas, 71x71 cm.
Private collection, Moscow.
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Portrait of Singer Fyodor T.Chaliapin. 1922.
Oil on canvas, 99x80 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of Sculptor and Architect Isidor S.Zolotarevsky. 1922.
Oil on canvas, 98x111 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Summer Festivity. 1923.
Oil on canvas, 90x90 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Portrait of Artist, Poet, Translator and Critic Maximilan A.Voloshin. 1924.
Oil on canvas, 111x89 cm.
The State Museum of Literature, Moscow.
Portrait of Actress Tatiana N.Chizhova. 1924.
Oil on canvas, 98x80.4 cm.
Ivanovo Regional Art Museum.
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Portrait of Artist N.L.Orshanskaya. 1925.
Watercolor on paper, 35x28 cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
Russian Venus. 1925-26.
Oil on canvas, 200x175 cm.
Nizhny Novgorod Museum of Fine Arts.
Portrait of I.B.Kustodieva, the Artist's Daughter. 1926.
Glue paint on canvas, 111.8x89.5 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
Autumn in the Provinces. 1926.
Oil on canvas, 71x71 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
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Portrait of Z.Y.Rose (ne Proshinskaya). 1901.
Charcoal on paper, 66x46 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of Actress E.A.Polevitskaya. 1905.
Lead pencil and charcoal on paper, 65x49.2 cm.
Museum of Russian Art, Kiev.
Akaky Akakievich. Illustration for story "The Overcoat" by Gogol. 1905.
Ink on paper, 20x32 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Akaky Akakievich Visiting Petrovich. Illustration for story "The Overcoat" by Gogol. 1905.
Ink on paper, 20x32 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
"In the distance, heavens knows where, a light twinkled in a watch house." Akaky Akakievich Returning. Illustration for story "The Overcoat" by Gogol. 1905.
Charcoal on paper, 20.3x32 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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Old Man Mazai and the Hares. Illustration for a poem by N.A.Nekrasov. 1909.
Ink on paper, 22x31 cm.
Institute of Russian Literature (the Pushkin House), St. Petersburg.
Portrait of E.P.Kustodieva, the Artist's Mother. 1915.
Sanguine on paper, 61x42 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of Y.Y.Kustodieva, the Artist's Wife. 1915.
Pencil on cardboard, 26x20 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Reclining Nude. 1915.
Sanguine and charcoal on paper, 47x57 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
Portrait of the Artist G.S.Vereisky. 1917.
Pencil and sanguine on paper, 34x21 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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Mama and Irina. Sketch for the 1917 picture "In Finland". 1917.
Pencil on paper, 34x21 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of Portrait of Irina Kustodieva (the Artist's Daughter). 1919.
Pencil and sanguine on paper, 43x33 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Cover for "The Thunderstorm" by Ostrovsky. 1920.
Indian ink and pen on paper, 21x17 cm.
The State Museum of Literature, Moscow.
Cover for Six Poems by Nikolai Nekrasov. 1921.
Indian ink and pen on paper, 15.7x10.4 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of the Artist Dmitry N.Kardovsky. 1921.
Pencil and sanguine on paper, 27x25 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
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Portrait of the Graphic Artist and Art Critic Vsevolod V.Voinov. 1921.
Pencil on paper, 28x26 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
The Clothes-Mender. Illustration for a story by N.S.Leskov. 1922.
Indian ink and pen on paper, 15x14 cm.
Portrait of the Actor and Singer I.V.Yershov. 1922.
Pencil on paper, 47x36 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
Portrait of Prof. Gustav A. and N.S.Cook. 1924.
Color pencil, ceruse on paper, 53x48 cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.
Portrait of the Actress N.I.Komarovskaya. 1925.
Watercolor and pencil on paper, 53.5x47 cm.
I.Brodsky Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg.
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Petrograd in 1920. 1925.
Indian ink on paper, 47x63 cm.
Astrakhan Picture Gallery.
The Curious Ones. Illustration for the book "B. Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 8x14 cm.
Tatar Selling Melons. Illustration for the book "B. Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 8x14 cm.
Irina and Kirill. Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 13x14 cm.
In the Arcades. Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 12x14 cm.
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Dried-Fish Vendor. Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 12x14 cm.
Summer. Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 22x31 cm.
Russian Letter "B". Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 6x7 cm.
Russian Letter "M". Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 7x9 cm.
Painted Tray. Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 7x9 cm.
Kitty with Her Kittens. Illustration for the book "B.Kustodiev" by V.Voinov. 1926.
Print, 10x14 cm.
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Furnachev's Study. Décor sketch for "Death of Pazukhin" by M.Y.Saltykov-Schedrin. 1914.
Watercolor on paper, 21x28 cm.
Moscow Art Theatre Museum.
Furnachev. Costume Design for "Death of Pazukhin" by M.Y.Saltykov-Schedrin. 1914.
Watercolor on paper, 47x32 cm.
Moscow Art Theatre Museum.
Furnacheva. Costume Design for "Death of Pazukhin" by M.Y.Saltykov-Schedrin. 1914.
Watercolor on paper, 50x32 cm.
The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Mavra. Costume Design for "Death of Pazukhin" by M.Y.Saltykov-Schedrin. 1914.
Watercolor on paper.
Moscow Art Theatre Museum.
Town Square in Krutogorsk. Décor sketch for "Death of Pazukhin" by M.Y.Saltykov-Schedrin. 1915.
Gouache on paper, 30.2x24.1 cm.
The State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
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Beneath the Arches of an Ancient Gallery. Décor sketch for "Thunderstorm" by A.N.Ostrovsky. 1918. Not realized.
65x87 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
Generals. Costume Design for the Production "The Flea" by Y.I.Zamyatin after story by N.Leskov. 1925.
Watercolor on paper, 25x34 cm.
The State Museum of Literature, Moscow.
Mashka Merchant's Daughter. Costume Design for the Production "The Flea" by Y.I.Zamyatin after story by N.Leskov. 1925.
Watercolor on paper, 32x25 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
Curtain Design for the Production "The Flea" by Y.I.Zamyatin after story by N.Leskov. 1925.
Watercolor on paper, 39.4x61.2 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
Tula. Décor Sketch for the Production "The Flea" by Y.I.Zamyatin after story by N.Leskov. 1925.
Watercolor on paper, 32x49 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
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Tula. Décor Sketch for the Production "The Flea" by Y.I.Zamyatin after story by N.Leskov. 1925.
Watercolor on paper, 61x98 cm.
Private collection, Moscow.
Palace. Décor Sketch for the Production "The Flea" by Y.I.Zamyatin after story by N.Leskov. 1926.
Oil on plywood, 61x98 cm.
The State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow.
Curtain Design for "Doves and Hussars" by V.M.Wolkenstein. 1927.
Oil on veneer, 47x77 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
Décor and Stage Design for "Wolves and Sheep" by A.N.Ostrovsky. 1926.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
A Room in Kupavina's House. Décor and Stage Design for "Wolves and Sheep" by A.N.Ostrovsky. 1926.
30x60 cm.
Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow.
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Biography:
Much has been said of Boris Mikhailovich Kustodiev, by many renown artists and critics. Ilya Repin has called him an artist of "mighty stature in Russian painting". His works are known by their vibrant colors; their healthy, young, full-bodied Russian belles that remind many something of Rubens; his expressive Russian types series and genre paintings. He was a portrait painter of the top caliber, kind and warm to his subjects. A diverse and immensely taented artist, with a difficult fate.
Boris Kustodiev was born March 7th 1878 in Astrakhan. His father, Mikhail Lukich, was a teacher of Russian, literature logic in a gymnasium for girls, but he died when Boris was about two years old, leaving a wife, Ekaterina Prokhorovna, and four children. They rented a small wing off a large house of a rich merchant, where the future artist observed the merchant lifestyle.
The boy went to the church school, then to the gymnasium, after which he was accepted for free to study in the Christian seminar as a son of a late teacher. But from a very early age he has shown an aptitude and avid interest for drawing. In 1887 the nine-year-old Boris has visited an exhibition of Peredvizhnik artists, and his decision to become an artist himself was born then and there.
In 1896 Kustodiev began to study with Vlasov (until 1903), whom he considered for the rest his life his best and most important teacher. Then he has left the seminar and went to St.Petersburg to study at the Academy of Arts, under Savinsky, Repin and Stelletsky (1896-1903). Repin has noticed him early and noted his talent, thoughtfulness and the attention with which he studied nature. The artist's early carreer began as a portraitist. Under Repin's guidance, the young Kustodiev for two years worked on and painted the right side of the monumental group portrait "Ceremonial Session of the State Council", for which he has made 25 portrait studies (completed in 1903). At the same time he painted the portrats of his contemporaries: I.Bilibin, for which he was awarded a gold medal at the Munich International exhibition in April 1901; D.Stelletzky, S.Nikolsky, D.Moldovtzev, V.Mate and others (1901-1902). He received many commisions for portraits.
Kustodiev with his wife, late 1900s.
In 1903 the artist graduated the Acadey with distinction. In January he has married Yulia Yevstasievna Proshinskaya, and in October the same year his first-born son, Kiril, was born. At the XXXIst International Exhibition in Munich he was awarded the prize of the Vienna Artists Association.
In 1904 the family has visited France and Spain on a grant from the Academy of Arts. In Paris he has painted his renowned "Morning", a painting so obviously soaked with love and family warmth, the joy of a young mother. Returning home before the end of his scholarship, the artist makes up the time by travelling around Russia. Paintings such as "A Fair" attest to his search for his own unique style, and finding its beginnings in genre painting.
At the end of 1904 the artist returned to St.Petersburg and worked for the leftist journal "Zhupel" (Bugbear) alongside V.Serov, Y.Lancere and D.Kardovsky, and then, when it is closed down, for "Adskaya Pochta" (Infernal Post). He created numerous caricatures of Tzarist ministers and millitary cammanders. The cruel repression of the 1905 Revolution has left a deep impression on the artist, evident in drawings from that time, such as "Demonstration". In 1905 he has also illustrated a series of stories by Gogol, Tolstoy, Lermontov.
His daughter Irina was born in May 1905, and he began building a house with a workshop in a style of the Russian "terem" at the edge of the village Maurino, nearby Pavlovskoe and Vysokoe. The house was designed by D.Stelletzky and named "Terem".
In 1906 Kustodiev has began producing his genre paintings, which remained his unique personal style for the rest of his life. His commonplace themes encompassed Russian lifestyle of the merchants and the clerics, while he also continued to paint portraits.
In 1905 (until 1906) the artist becomes a member-founder of the NOKh group (Society of New Artists); in 1907 - a member of SRKh, in 1910 he joined the World of Art group, and then in 1923 the AKhR (Association of Artists of the Revolution) group.
In 1910 Kustodiev participated in exhibitions of Russian artists in Paris, Moscow, St.Petersburg and Kiev. Then at the international exhibition in Brussels he was awarded silver medal. At that time he was teaching at the workshop of E.S.Zarudnaya-Kavos in St.Petersburg, and working on the group portrait for the artists of the World of Art group. But the symptoms of serious illness set in: he began feeling sharp pain in his arm. A difficult operation was performed, but only relieved the pain a little. In 1911 his health deteriorated, at 33 the young and active artist was suddenly crippled with the terrible pain.
Kustodiev working on portrait of Y.N.Basilevskaya, 1914.
In 1911 Kustodiev first began his theatre work. His genre painting was evident here, too, in the vivid, colorful provinces, costumes and decorations.
In 1912 he went to Leysin for treatment. In 1913, after a period of rest nearby Cannes, he returned to St.Petersburg through Italy (Venice, Genua, Milan) and Germany (Drezden and Berlin). In Berlin the famous neurologist G.Oppenheim diagnosed a tumor in his spinal canal. Another operation was performed.
In 1914 his works were exhibited at the Bernheim gallery in Paris; at an international exhibition in Venice; at an international exhibition in Rome. He created several portraits, including sculpted busts of the writer F.Sologub and the poet A.Blok. Theatrical design "Wolves and Sheep" by Ostrovsky was made that year. In 1915 his health continued to deteriorate, he walked with crutches and worked in a sitting position. In 1916 another operation was unable to stop the setting paralisis of the lower half of the artist's body. He lay without movement for 2 months, but was unable to stop working, feeling his life force leaving him in that state. Against the recommendations of his doctors he began to work again and continued to work in a wheelchair.
In 1918-1919 along with the other artist of the World of Art group Kustodiev participated in decorating St.Petersburg for 1st and 2nd celebrations of the October Revolution.
In 1920 his fellow-artists fashioned a special easel for him, where the painting was hanging, possible to bring closer and move to right and left, so it could be adjusted for his tortured hand. In the 3-room apartment of the art collector Nothaft the first and only personal exhibition was held in the artist's life, where about 170 works were shown. That year he created his famous "Russian types" watercolor series, to be published in the album of same name in 1923.
Kustodiev at work, 1926.
In 1921 the first lithograph works were made. V.Voinov began to work on his monography about the artist, illustrated by him.
In 1922 he participated in the first Russian art exhibition in Berlin and in the international book exhibition in Florence. Illustrations in linocut technique were made and a number of portraits painted. In 1924 he participated in the international exhibitions in Venice and in Brussels, with his "Merchant's Wife at Tea" among other works; in exhibition of Russian art in New York. That year he has given his "Terem" house to the State "for cultural uses". He also created the theatre design for "Flea" by Leskov.
In 1925 at the international exhibition of artistic design in Paris Kustodiev was awarded an honorary diploma for his theatrical work and posters. He participated in international exhibitions in Pitsburg; of Russian art in Los Angeles; contemporary Russian artists in Toronto. And then in 1926 in the international theatrical exhibition in New York.
In February 1927 Boris Kustodiev was allowed to go to Germany for treatment at the clinic of Prof. O.Ferster. But on May 5th 1927 he has taken ill, catching pneumonia. On May 28th the artist has died in Leningrad at the age of 49.