Trutnev Ivan Petrovich (1827-1912)
Portrait of an old woman
XIX century
44 х 36 см
Oil on canvas
Ivan Trutnev was a Russian painter who graduated with a gold medal from the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts. He wrote works in various genres: battle scenes, portraits, genre works, and was a regular participant in travelling exhibitions. But in the world of art Trutnev became famous as a brilliant teacher and founder of the Vilna Drawing School (Vilnius. Vilnius, Lithuania).
This is a modest educational institution, where children of different classes and faiths were accepted. It was characterized by democracy and accessibility. Many of the students who received their education here successfully entered higher art schools of the capital.
Trutnev also actively participated in public life, was one of the organizers and members of the board of the Vilnius Art Club. He arranged exhibitions of his students' works «without distinction of faith and ethnicity»