06.10.1818 – 01.01.1870

Sergey Konstantinovich Zaryanko – Russian portrait painter of Belarusian origin.

The artist was born in Vitebsk region in the family of serf. When Sergei was very young the family moved to St. Petersburg, where his father worked for Prince A. N. Golitsyn.

The boy from childhood showed artistic abilities, and the first skills received from the painter V. M. Avrorin. The talent of the young artist was noticed by a famous Russian painter A. Venetsianov, who contributed in 1834 definition of Sergei Zaryanko at the Academy of arts students of the Imperial Academy of arts. Also studied at the Academy and his brothers – Basil, Joseph and Nicholas, but they all died at a fairly young age, which prevented to show their talents to the full.

Sergey Konstantinovich did not immediately turn to portrait painting. Prior to that, he portrayed different interiors, studying at the landscape class of M. N. Vorobiev. In 1836 he received a small silver medal, in 1838 he was awarded the title of class artist, after which he continued to write mostly promising species, and in 1841 he was awarded a large silver medal.

In 1843, the master received the title of academician and, living in Moscow, was engaged in the execution of images for churches, taught drawing at the Alexander orphan Institute and “perspective art” in the Palace architectural school.

On his return to St. Petersburg, in 1855, Sergei Konstantinovich for the first time seriously took up portrait painting. At the academic exhibition in 1849 were exhibited two portraits, which brought him great fame. In 1850, for the work of the Academy awarded the artist the title of Professor.

Zaryanko contributed to the development of young artists, some of which have reached honorable prominence, for example: V. G. Perov, I. M. Pryanishnikov, V. Pukirev, V. I. Sherwood, L. F., Jodaiko, brothers, V. E. and K. E. Makovsky, G. I. Bortnevskiy.

Released from under his brush portraits are remarkable for unusually strong modeling, excellent transmission of lighting, careful development of details, even in accessories and accurate reproduction of persons.the Master wrote about a hundred portraits in his life, which depicted the great and famous people – emperors, princes, princesses and counts.

The artist died on January 1 in Moscow.