Aleksey (Stepanovich) Stepanov

(b Simferopol', 6 May 1858; d Moscow, 5 Oct 1923). Russian painter of Ukrainian birth. He qualified as a surveyor, but in 1880 he entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, studying under Illarion Pryanishnikov and Yevgraff S. Sorokin (1821-92). There he became close friends with Sergey Ivanov, Sergey Korovin, Konstantin Korovin, Mikhail Nesterov and, in particular, Isaak Levitan, and he shared their enthusiasm for Realism. Stepanov began by painting small genre scenes in the style of Pryanishnikov, through whom he became interested in the hunt. He progressed from hunting scenes, which had special significance for him, to animal painting, and he became a leader in the genre. He joined the WANDERERS in 1891, exhibiting with them from 1888 to 1900. His most successful works from these years are Elks (1889) and Cranes Flying (1891; both Moscow, Tret'yakov Gal.). These show features typical of the groups with which he was associated, including an emphasis on landscape in genre painting, a lyrical mood and work en plein air. After leaving the Wanderers Stepanov became a founder-member of the Union of Russian Artists in 1903 and a constant participant in its exhibitions.

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