Sokolov, Pyotr Ivanovich (1753-1791)

The Castle of Princess Galitzine ED, early established penchant for drawing, was not able to make art. Only after the death of its owner P. Sokolov was freed from serfdom and enrolled in the Academy of Arts.

Catching up on a class of historical painting and influences from such renowned artists as D. Levitsky and A. Losenko , Sokolov excelled in track and in 1770 received a small gold medal for a picture painted on the topic "On Hold Vladimir Rogneda inflicted on him sleepy and at the hour of awakening stabbed."

In 1772 the artist was awarded a gold medal for the program, "Cyril, a Greek philosopher, in exposition of different faiths shows Prince Vladimir curtain depicting the Last Judgment."

The award for the success of a pensioner's trip to Italy, Sokolov studied in Rome "in looking at Baton Natuara and drawing from nature," as well as performing songs, made sketches and copies of paintings by Western European artists. As a historical painter, he is consistent with the requirements of classicism, stayed mostly on the subjects of ancient mythology.

In 1774, the Falcons started working on a large canvas scenic "Mercury and Argus". Over two years, he created his composition, informing AH that "difficult for the first time to produce only a large proportion of the picture," which requires a lot of sketches and makes us look "Schaslyvy shape position."
After graduating from this work, Sokolov in 1776 took up The following historical canvas, "Daedalus and Icarus", and which was completed in 1777 to 1782 is another significant of his work - "Venus and Adonis".

Having proved himself as a professional master, author of large historical paintings, "befitting" Academy Falcons still could not escape some sketchy and coldness of his compositions. However, this did not extend to the artist's drawings, full of light and free, and later engraved by J. X. Nabgolts and EI Kokoshkin for the publication of "A Collection of institutions and regulations regarding the education of both sexes in the Russian noble and middle-class youth, with the rest of society in favor of the establishment-mi" (St. Petersburg, 1789-91).

In 1783 the artist executed two drawings depicting the monument to Peter I, EM Falcone, dedicating them to play well in the engraving. From 1785 until his death in charge of Falcons "batalicheskih class," Oh, and also "teach students drawing with colored pencils and watercolor painting."