Stepan Feodorovich Kolesnikov ( Adrianopol, Ukraine 1879 - Belgrade 1955 )

Kolesnikov was a Ukrainian landscape painter. Hestudied at the Odessa Art School, and entered the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in 1903 without having to pass exams, such was his talent. There he was taught by Ilya Yefimovich Repin (1844-1930) and Vladimir Makovsky (1846-1920). He was consequently influenced by the Russian Realist tradition, and won praise from his teachers and the public alike.

He was one of the favourite artists of Tsar Nicolas II, who once gave him an engraved cigarette-case as a personal gift. After the Russian Revolution, however, he moved to Yugoslavia though he continued to paint and exhibit throughout Europe.

Kolesnikov was gifted with a bright individual style, standing out among the most prominent artists of his time. He left a rich and diverse legacy and was equally skilful in genre and landscape as well as in graphic and painting techniques. After emigrating he remained faithful to his Russian subjects, with bright winter landscapes and colourful church festivities among his favourite themes.