Сибиряк

8 April 1888

The death of his wife, Elizaveta Augustovna

On 8 April 1888 Surikov’s wife, Elizaveta Augustovna, dies of a congenital heart defect; to support his elder brother, Alexander comes to him from Krasnoyarsk.

summer 1889 – autumn 1890

Back to Krasnoyarsk with his daughters: “Snow Town”

Alexander persuades his brother to go home with his daughters, and from early summer 1889 until the autumn of 1890 Surikov lives in Krasnoyarsk; the idea for “The Capture of Snow Town” came from Alexander, who is shown at the right standing in the sleigh. The game was staged in the yard of Surikov’s family estate, with peasants from the village of Bazaikha taking part.

1895

The death of his mother, Paraskeva Fyodorovna

In 1895 Surikov’s mother, Paraskeva Fyodorovna, dies; for both brothers, Vasily and Alexander, who loved her dearly, her death was a terrible blow.

summer 1897

Switzerland: Alpine studies for “Suvorov”

In the summer of 1897 Surikov visits Switzerland and paints studies there for “Suvorov Crossing the Alps”.

after 1899

Nicholas II buys “Suvorov Crossing the Alps”

The painting is finished in 1899, on the 100th anniversary of Suvorov’s Italian campaign; it is exhibited in St Petersburg and Moscow and then purchased by Emperor Nicholas II.

1900

A bronze medal at the Paris International Exhibition

For his painting “The Capture of Snow Town” Surikov receives a named bronze medal at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900.