Щука

1878–1911 · Virkested

Moscow

early 1896

A commission for a watercolour of the coronation of Nicholas II

In early 1896 Serov received a lucrative commission for the watercolour “The Anointing of the Emperor” for the art album of the coronation of Nicholas II; it gave him the right to attend the coronation on 26 May in the Dormition Cathedral, and the work was due by 1 May 1897.

1896

His first exhibition abroad, in Munich

Serov’s works were shown abroad for the first time, at a private exhibition in Munich (the Secession); at the end of the year he received invitations to take part in exhibitions in Munich, Stockholm and Copenhagen.

1897

Takes the life-drawing studio despite an earlier refusal

In late summer 1897 Serov accepted the offer to run the life-drawing studio at the Moscow School of Painting, although in 1894 he had written to Chistyakov that he did not like teaching and had turned down such an offer. His pupils included Kuznetsov, Sapunov, Saryan, Petrov-Vodkin, Ulyanov and Yuon; Levitan began teaching at the school at the same time.

23 March 1898

Awarded the title of academician

On 23 March 1898 the general meeting of the Academy of Arts, on the proposal of Mathé, Repin and Chistyakov, awarded Serov the title of academician.

1900

The Grand Medal of Honour at the Paris World’s Fair

For his portrait of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich at the World’s Fair in Paris, which Serov visited with his wife in October, he was awarded the Grand Medal of Honour.