Vladimir Borovikovsky
Vladimir Lukic Borovikovsky came from an old Cossack family in which the painting been a family hobby. 
Borovikovsky began his independent life in the army (he served 10 years in Mirgorod regiment). Early works of Borovikovsky were connected with the traditions of Ukrainian painting of the XVIII century (Portrait of the mayor of Poltava A. Rudenko, 1778). Borovikovsky posted a lot of icons for rural churches in Poltava (almost all the works were destroyed in Soviet times). In 1787 he painted the "track" palace of Catherine II in Kremenchug. The empress liked the painting, and provincial iconographer was opened the way to the career.
In 1788, 31-year-old artist, who later "corrected" the name, moved to St. Petersburg. The patron of Vladimir became one of the most educated people of that time N. Lvov. In 1795 V. Borovikovsky received the title of academician - a case is almost unique for an artist who has not passed the academic training.
After 7 years V. Borovikovsky became an adviser to the Academy of Arts, but the approaches of envious persoms deprived him of teaching at the portrait classes. The artist has a private school. Despite the persecution of mischief, Vladimir lived honestly, cared about his students, helping to his fellows and family (he has no his own family). In search of the ideal life in 1802 he entered into the Freemasonry "Dying Sphinx", in 1819 he became a member of the mystical circle of N. Tatarinova. From the stored correspondence with fellow artists (1795-1819) one can learn that V. Borovikovsky until his death was a typical "poltavite", he was following Ukrainian customs and traditions in Russia, and wanted to return home. During his lifetime he created about 500 paintings, the vast majority of which are portraits. The true masterpiece created by V. Borovikovsky is the portrait of M. Lopukhina (1797). To the best works belong portrait of Catherine II (1794), V. Arsenyeva (1795), Derzhavin (1795), F. Borovski (1799), Paul I (1800), O. Kurakin (1801-1802) Bezborodko with his daughters (1803), M. Dolgorukaya (1811).
