09.12.1842 — 01.01.1908

Nikolai Nikolaevich Karazin – the Russian painter, writer, member of the Central Asian campaigns.

To ten years Nikolay Karazin was raised in the suburban estate of his grandmother, located near the village Anashkino in the Moscow province, and then was determined to study, and in 1862 was released in the officers in Kazan Dragoon regiment. He participated in the pacification of the Polish rebellion 1863-64, and in contrast to military operations, he was awarded the order of St .. Anne’s 4-th degree with the inscription “For bravery”.

Karazin felt very attracted to painting since childhood, so in 1865 he retired with the rank of captain and entered the Academy of fine arts, where he worked for two years under the guidance of the famous painter of battle BP Villevalde, but in 1867 Nicholas still left the Academy to take part in the campaign against Bukhara.

Extremely impressionable and observant Karazin with particular interest the true artist was closer to the new nature of Central Asia. Military campaigns gave him the opportunity for a close study of the life of a Russian soldier. The wizard created the first Russian art postcards issued by the Community of St. Eugenia.

In the Serbo-Turkish and Russo-Turkish war (1877-78), the artist was a war correspondent-Illustrator. His sketches in pen, pencil and watercolor from life, gave a vivid picture of a camp and military life of our troops on the Balkan theatre of war. These illustrations were published in the best foreign publications and delivered him fame.

Big name artist won because of its nature. Lively, agile and always active, he loved to paint large paintings, which require long and diligent work. His glory first in Russia, watercolorist and draftsman and Illustrator, he earned his countless works in watercolor, pencil and pen. Having a rich imagination and great artistic taste, Nikolai Nikolaevich was distinguished by extraordinary rapidity and ease of operation. The world works Karazin – mainly the Eastern outskirts of the Empire. Nature of Middle Asia and Asian types – a favorite story of his artistic works. In watercolor painting the artist created his own special style. His paintings and drawings can immediately find out: strong lighting effects, striking contrasts, a few special dark color, excellent composition and endless imagination. With great skill, Nikolay Nikolaevich Karazin depicted horses. Until the end of his life the artist did not lose touch with the military, with a special love recalled his military and camp life and although never wore the military uniform, but never parted with the signs of their military differences.

Died January 1, 1909 in Gatchina, he was buried at Nikolskoe cemetery of Alexander Nevsky Lavra.