42 - ALISOV, Mikhail (1859–1933)

ALISOV, Mikhail (1859–1933) Seaside in Yalta, 1928 Oil on canvas Signed, dated “1928,” and inscribed “Yalta” in the lower left corner Inscribed by the artist on the reverse to Alexander Alexandrovich Panayota; wax seal on the reverse (in two places). 41.5 x 77 cm Mikhail Alisov was born on April 30 (May 12), 1859, in Kharkiv, into a noble family. He took his first art lessons at a private school for drawing and painting, opened in Kharkiv in 1869 by M. D. Raevskaya-Ivanova. In 1887, he enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg, where he studied under Y. Y. Klever until 1889. He then moved to Yalta in Crimea, became a student of I. A. Aivazovsky, and worked in Theodosia under his guidance. In 1900, Alisov exhibited at a show organized by the Astrakhan Art Circle; in 1910, he exhibited at a show organized by the Ekaterinoslav Art and Literary Society. In 1914, he was a founding member and exhibitor of the Yalta Art Circle. We have identified three solo exhibitions by the artist during his lifetime: in 1900, 1902, and 1903, all organized in Kharkiv as part of the Kharkiv Artists’ Association; at the 1900 exhibition, held to mark the artist’s 40th birthday, 132 of his paintings were displayed. In 1912, the Yalta Horticultural Society published a series of postcards of his works titled “The Flora of Crimea.” After the 1917 Revolution, Alisov’s situation deteriorated due to his noble origins. During World War I, a large portion of his works was destroyed during the museum’s evacuation, making the surviving paintings particularly valuable. During the final years of his life, the artist lived in Yalta, painting small landscapes on pebbles and selling them to support his family. Even in these small formats, his unique talent shone through: his ability to capture the infinity of the sea on a single pebble. Mikhail Alexandrovich Alisov died in Yalta in 1933. ALISOV, Mikhail (1859–1933) Seaside, Yalta, 1928 Wood, oil Signed, dated “1928,” and located “Yalta” at the lower left Dedication by the artist on the reverse to Alexander Alexandrovich Panayot; wax seal on the reverse (in two places). 41.5 × 77 cm. Mikhail Alisov was born on April 30 (May 12), 1859, in Kharkiv into a noble family. He received his early art education at a private school of drawing and painting opened in Kharkiv in 1869 by M. D. Raevskaya-Ivanova. In 1887, he enrolled at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, where he studied under Y. Y. Klever until 1889. He then moved to Crimea, became a student of I. A. Aivazovsky, and worked in Feodosia under his guidance. In 1900, Alisov exhibited at an art circle exhibition in Astrakhan; in 1910, at an exhibition of the Artistic Society in Yekaterinoslav. In the early 20th century, Mikhail Alexandrovich settled in Yalta. In 1914, he served as a founding member and exhibitor of the Yalta Art Circle. The artist is known to have held three solo exhibitions during his lifetime: in 1900, 1902, and 1903; all took place in Kharkiv as part of the Kharkiv Artists’ Association, and at the 1900 exhibition—timed to coincide with the artist’s 40th birthday—132 of his paintings were on display. In 1912, the Yalta Horticultural Society released a series of his postcards titled “Flora of Crimea.” After the 1917 Revolution, Alisov’s situation deteriorated due to his noble background. During World War I, a significant portion of his works was destroyed during the evacuation of the museum, making the surviving paintings particularly valuable. In the last years of his life, the artist lived in Yalta