Христос в синагоге

late 1866

Meets Herzen and paints his portrait

In Florence Ge grows close to Herzen, who unexpectedly called on him at the end of 1866, and with his permission paints his portrait — a risky step, since Herzen was a “state criminal” and a political émigré. The portrait is done in five sittings and critics consider it the best in Ge's oeuvre; other accounts date it to 1864.

1867

“The Messengers of the Resurrection” rejected by the Academy

Ge completes “The Messengers of the Resurrection” and sends it to the Academy of Arts exhibition, but it is not accepted. Friends show it at an art club, where it has no success with the public; the same fate befalls his new work “Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane”.

late 1869

Returns to Russia, to St Petersburg

At the end of 1869 (other accounts say 1870) Ge returns to Russia and lives and works in St Petersburg until 1875.

1870

One of the founders of the Peredvizhniki

He takes a warm and active part in organising the Society of Travelling Art Exhibitions (the Peredvizhniki) and becomes one of its founding members.