Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin
Legendary Artist
Kuzma Petrov Vodkin was born in Khvalynsk and was one of the most distinctive Russian painters of the early twentieth century. Born into the family of a local shoemaker, Vodkin's exposure to art happened early in his life when he took lessons from a couple of icon painters and a signmaker. At this time, he didn't think about going into art practice, but after failing his exam for the railroad college in Samara, he joined "Art Classes of Fedor Burov" and did different painting jobs. Coincidentally, his mother who was a serf, Anna Panteleyevna Petrov-Vodkina's employer, had invited a renowned architect, Robert Meltzer. Vodkin got introduced to this guest, who was so impressed by the works that he invited Vodkin to study Art in St. Petersburg. Here, he studied at the Stieglitz Academy (1895-97), later moving to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.