Alexei Issupoff (Vjatka, 10 March 1889 – Rome, 17 July 1957) was a Russian painter. Alexei Vladimirovic Isupov, known by the Italianized name of Alexei Issupoff, was born in Vjatka (now Kirov) on 10 March 1889. Read the full biography
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Alexei Issupoff (Vjatka, 10 March 1889 – Rome, 17 July 1957) was a Russian painter. Alexei Vladimirovic Isupov, known by the Italianized name of Alexei Issupoff, was born in Vjatka (now Kirov) on 10 March 1889. Son of a carver and gilder of icons, he learned to paint from the artisan painters who worked with his father. Wanting to give expression to his artistic creativity, the young Alessio did not take up his father's profession but left Vjatka for Moscow, where he attended the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He was mentored by the painter Apollinarij Mikhailovich Vasnetsov, Viktor's brother, who introduced him to the Moscow artistic milieu and helped him find work. By studying and visiting museums, Issupoff formed his own aesthetic "taste" by modulating it on contemporary Russian and French art. In addition to Vasnetsov, he had Valentin Serov and Konstantin Korovin as teachers, who educated him in genre painting, landscape painting and portraiture. Having obtained his diploma in 1912, he began traveling in the Ural region. Assigned to the Tashkent garrison, he avoided the harsh experience of the First World War. After finishing his military service, he traveled around Turkestan, immersing himself in a colorful and "magical" environment, which would strongly influence his painting. Many of his best-known works, in fact, offer suggestive visions of the most remote lands of Central Asia. Having settled in Samarkand with his wife Tamara Nikolaevna, here he carried out the functions of director of the local Committee for the Restoration and Conservation of works of art and city monuments. He then perfected himself in the technique of tempera on wooden panels, creating works which, in style, recall traditional icon painting. His return to Moscow in 1921 marked the beginning of the most painful period of his private life. Finding himself in financial straits, Issupoff was reduced to being a "regime" artist, that is, painting portraits of high-ranking Soviet leaders and scenes inspired by the Russian Revolution and the exploits of the Red Army. Once again it was Vasnetsov who helped him, finding him a paid job within one of the many Moscow committees. Afflicted by health problems, in 1926 he went to Italy for treatment. His life then took a radical turn. Italy was the place of his personal and artistic rebirth. Issupoff immediately found a benevolent and flattering welcome there. Since his arrival, he had the opportunity to be appreciated by critics and the public. Already in 1926 his first solo exhibition was held in Rome. Numerous other exhibitions followed in the most important cities of the Peninsula and, in 1930, the XVII Venice Biennale "consecrated" the work of the Russian painter. Enjoying esteem, wealth and freedom of expression, the artist decided not to repatriate.
