Alexander Antonovich Rizzoni (1836-1902)

Carefully executed painting by Alexander Antonovich Rizzoni always attracted the attention of art lovers and have been coveted for objects known collectors of the time, among whom were members of the imperial family.

 Son of an Italian from Bologna A. Rizzoni was born in Riga, his first teacher in the visual arts was the eldest brother - PA Rizzoni. The basic education in the Academy of Fine Arts, which he entered in 1852. During training, the young artist at his own expense several trips abroad, visiting Italy, France, Spain and Belgium.

In 1862, A. Rizzoni gets a gold medal for his diploma film "Auction in Livonia village" and went to a pensioner's trip to Europe.

 His presence, mainly in Italy, continuing until 1878, although he regularly sends their work to the Academy for academic or exhibition. Sometimes visits St. Petersburg personally assigned him to take the title of Academician (1866) and Professor of Painting (1868). Interesting themes of his numerous paintings: scenes from the life of the Catholic clergy, a life of Jewish communities, genre scenes of Roman life, the interiors of restaurants and taverns, miniature portraits, women's heads.

 It is clear that the traces of Russian life in the works of AA Rizzoni poorly distinguishable. But remember that art is inherently internationally. The artist considered himself a Russian. In Russia, he arranged personal exhibitions. The most famous of these was held in 1889, which featured more than 40 works by the artist and the fees of which went in favor of the Alexander community of Sisters of Charity of the "Red Cross".