1791–1848
Pyotr Fyodorovich Sokolov was a prominent Russian aquarelle portraitist, widely celebrated for his depictions of many of the most distinguished figures of the Pushkin era. Born in Moscow, Sokolov’s artistic career began when he studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts from 1800 to 1809, under the tutelage of renowned artists such as Alexei Yegorov and Vasily Shebuyev. His early work, including “Andromache Mourning Hector” (1809), earned him accolades and a minor gold medal from the Academy.
Sokolov was known for his portraits of a wide range of subjects, from fellow artists to war veterans and members of the Russian aristocracy. Among his most famous sitters were the celebrated poets Alexander Pushkin and Vasily Zhukovsky. Sokolov was also commissioned by the imperial family to paint portraits, including a successful depiction of Nicholas I’s son, Alexander, at the age of three.
His artistry extended to over 500 works throughout his life, with many of his portraits housed in prestigious institutions such as the State Russian Museum and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Sokolov’s watercolor technique, which did not utilize emulsion, was pioneering in the field of Russian portraiture and helped establish aquarelle painting as a dominant genre in Russian art, particularly between the 1820s and 1840s. His works often began with graphite pencil sketches, which he used to guide his watercolor applications and enhance the final product.
Pyotr Fyodorovich Sokolov passed away on August 15, 1848, but his legacy as a master of watercolor portraiture endures through his contributions to Russian art and the enduring presence of his works in major museums and collections around the world.
