Grigory I. Gurkin(1870-1937)

Grigory Gurkin, one of Russian�s greatest landscape painters, was born in Ulala (today's Gorno-Altaisk) in Mt. Altai. He entered the Academy of the Fine Artsat in the age of 27.

Mt. Altai, with its mountain landscapes, lakes, rivers presented Gurkin with a vast subject for his paintings.

Gurkin was much influenced by the Russian painting school, particularly by Ivan Shishkin, who had a profound effect on his attitude to landscape. Some yearlier his paintings may be considered like copies of paintings of great Russian artist. (See, for instance "The forest road"). But in most degree Gurkin was inspired by primval Turkish ornamental art.

Constable also did few portraits, but this was not a fovourite subject. He also painted few pictures of topical events, such as the preaching of Russian ortodox missionaire, however all this formed an insignificant part of his work. Althogh he was famous in Siberia from the early days, in Russia, he was only recognized since the famous Moscow exhibition of 1926. But outside Russia and some countries (the former soviet republics) he is unknown until now.

Gurkin was shooted in 1937 by Stalin murderers.