Ye heavens Vasily (1808-1871)

Artists of the serfs, among them prominent in Russia can be considered as the dozens. And Basil Rayev, born in a family of serfs, began his career in the great art with literacy and drawing at the village school. But the basic training gifted young man was discovered in one of Russia's provincial art schools - in Arzamas School of Drawing A. Stupin.

Having received his freedom from their masters, V. Rayev from 1839 to 1840 prozanimalsya at the Academy of Fine Arts. Obviously, the previously obtained skills have allowed him in 1840 to get the title of class artist of historical painting. In the years 1847-1848 in the group of pensioners Academy of Arts V. Rayev masters in Rome mosaic skills. On his return to former Russian pensioners headed mosaic department at the Academy of Fine Arts, which was considered the best in the world.