Константин Егорович Маковский | Konstantin Yegorovich Makovsky (Father: Yegor Ivanovich Makovsky, a founder of the Moscow School of Painting; Brothers: Vladimir and Nikolay, also famous painters; Sister: Alexandra, a landscape painter) (1839–1915) was one of the most highly praised and fashionable Russian painters of the late 19th century. Born into an elite artistic family in Moscow, he was surrounded by the arts from birth; his father was a prominent art collector and a founder of what would become the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.

Makovsky’s career began with a rebellious streak. In 1863, he was a key figure in the “Revolt of the Fourteen,” a group of students who refused to paint the set academic theme for their graduation and left the Imperial Academy of Arts to form the “Artel of Artists,” which later evolved into the Peredvizhniki (The Wanderers) movement. During this period, his work focused on the harsh realities of Russian life and social issues.

However, by the late 1870s, Makovsky’s style shifted toward a more lavish, idealistic, and romanticized aesthetic. He became the “portrait painter of the aristocracy,” sought after for his ability to capture the elegance of the Russian elite. He is best known for his monumental historical paintings of 16th and 17th-century Russia, often referred to as “Boyar” scenes. Works like A Boyar Wedding Feast (1883) showcase his incredible technical skill in rendering luxurious fabrics, jewelry, and intricate interiors.

While some critics of his time accused him of abandoning the social ideals of the Wanderers for commercial success, Makovsky’s technical mastery and vibrant use of color were undeniable. He was a favorite of Tsar Alexander II and won a gold medal at the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. He died in 1915 following a tragic traffic accident in Saint Petersburg when his horse-drawn carriage was struck by a tram.

Active in others filds : Portraiture, Historical Reconstruction, Genre Painting.