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1890–1895

Friendship with Vasnetsov and the Prakhovs

In Kiev Nesterov grew close to Adrian Prakhov's family and to Viktor Vasnetsov, who worked alongside him in the cathedral; Vasnetsov became his teacher and friend.

1890s

Studies Byzantine art

To master monumental painting, new to him, Nesterov travelled to Rome, Palermo, Constantinople and Ravenna, where he could study the traditions of Byzantine art (other accounts name Rome and Istanbul).

1893, 1908, 1911

Returns to Italy

Nesterov went abroad repeatedly, visiting Italy in 1893, 1908 and 1911, but unlike Henryk Siemiradzki, who shone in Europe, he always longed to go “home, to Russia”: of all foreign lands, only Italy left a mark on his art.

1894

His mother dies

The artist's mother, Maria Mikhailovna (1823–1894), of the Rostovtsev merchant family — a woman of rich nature and imperious character — died.

1896

Elected to the Peredvizhniki Association

“Under the Church Bells” (1895; its real title is “Monks”) was warmly received at the Peredvizhniki exhibition, which became the occasion for electing Nesterov a member of the Association; he remained a member until 1901.