VERESHCHAGIN, Petr Petrovich - b. 1836 Perm, d. 1886 St. Petersburg

Russian painter, part of a family of artists. Like his brother Vasily Petrovich Vereshchagin (1835-1909), he obtained his initial artistic formation from his family. They both continued their studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in St Petersburg (1858-1865). However, the brothers were noticeably distinguished by their artistic interests. Petr Petrovich Vereshchagin is noted for, first of all, his landscapes.

After leaving the Academy he worked as a teacher and created many works. His topographical works of cities or their characteristic places brought him official acknowledgement, which was expressed in the promotion of the artist to the second, and then first degree, and also to an academician of landscape painting (1873), as well as a growing reputation.

After his withdrawal from teaching work he spent much time travelling. From 1868 onwards, the work stemming from his visits to Moscow, St Petersburg, Finland, Crimea, the Caucasus, Kiev, Sebastopol and the Urals was frequently on show at Academicians’ Exhibitions.

During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 he joined the acting army and painted a number of pictures, without changing his preference for views and landscapes, usually connected with the Danube.