Ilya Repin

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Lore & Background

Ilya Glazunov was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) to Sergey Fyodorovich Glazunov and Olga Konstantinovna Glazunova (née Flug), both originally from Russian nobility. His father was a historian. As a child, Glazunov attended a children's school of arts, and later a secondary art school in the historical district of Petrogradskaya Storona. During World War II, he survived the Siege of Leningrad; his father, mother and other relatives died in it. In 1942, the then-eleven-year-old was transported from besieged Leningrad along the Road of Life and stayed in the village of Greblo in the Novgorod region. In 1944, he returned to Leningrad and studied in the Leningrad Secondary Art School. From 1951 to 1957, he studied art at the Leningrad Repin Institute of Arts under Professor Boris Ioganson. In 1956, he married Nina Vinogradova-Benois, a descendant of the Benois family. He painted her image in many of his works. On 24 May 1986, Nina committed suicide, just a few days before the opening of her husband's exhibition in Manege. Their children, Ivan and Vera, have both become artists. Glazunov's success at the International Competition of Young Artists in Prague prompted his first single exhibition in Moscow in 1957. In the 1960s, he traveled to Italy to paint portraits of famous actors and actresses, including Gina Lollobrigida and Anita Ekberg. He also painted portraits of political leaders such as Indira Gandhi, Leonid Brezhnev, Urho Kekkonen, Yury Luzhkov, and Andrei Gromyko. In 1978, he started teaching at the Moscow University of Art, and in 1987 he founded the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. During the 1970s, he stood against a general plan for restoration of Moscow that threatened the historic centre. Together with Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov, he gathered signatures of prominent scientific and cultural figures under a letter of protest sent to the Politburo. The project was made public, heavily criticized, and cancelled. Glazunov was one of the main advocates behind the restoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and a co-founder of the All-Russian Society for Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (VOOPIiK). He died from heart failure on 9 July 2017 at age 87 and was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery on July 11.

Reader's Guide

Glazunov's significance lies in his founding of the Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he served as rector until his death. His paintings primarily explore historic or religious themes, with notable works including *Russia the Eternal*, *The 20th Century Mystery*, *The Ruining of the Temple on Easter Night*, and illustrations to Fyodor Dostoyevsky's works. His epic canvas *The Great Experiment* focuses on Russia in the 20th century, and his triptych *Legend of the Grand Inquisitor* includes portions titled *Grand Inquisitor*, *Golgotha*, and *Dostoyevsky. Night*, all illustrations for Dostoyevsky's *The Brothers Karamazov*. Glazunov's portraits of political leaders and cultural figures, as well as his advocacy for historical preservation—including the restoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour—highlight his influence. His honors include the Order 'For Merit to the Fatherland' (all four classes), the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, People's Artist of the USSR, and the State Prize of the Russian Federation for the restoration of the Moscow Kremlin. A minor planet, 3616 Glazunov, discovered in 1984, is named after him. He was also named 'The most outstanding artist of the 20th century' in a poll of polls in 1999 and received a UNESCO Gold Medal for outstanding contribution to world culture.

Did You Know?

• Glazunov survived the Siege of Leningrad as a child; his father, mother, and other relatives died in it.
• He married Nina Vinogradova-Benois, a descendant of the Benois family; she committed suicide on 24 May 1986, just days before his exhibition at Manege.
• He painted portraits of Gina Lollobrigida, Anita Ekberg, Indira Gandhi, Leonid Brezhnev, Urho Kekkonen, Yury Luzhkov, and Andrei Gromyko.
• A minor planet, 3616 Glazunov, discovered by Soviet astronomer Lyudmila Zhuravleva in 1984, is named after him.
• He was named 'The most outstanding artist of the 20th century' in a poll of polls in 1999.