Historical and religious painter, portraitist, court painter of Emperor Nicholas I, the Keeper of the Hermitage art gallery, Professor. Had the rank of privy Councilor, was awarded the order of St. Vladimir 2 nd degree. Honorary member of the Florentine Academy of arts (from 1846)
T. A. Neff was born on 2 Sep 1804 in the manor pussi Estland province. At baptism he received the name the Carl Timoleon. His mother Louise Felicita Neff came from France, father unknown. Neff became the adopted son of Henry Otto von Seeg Manteuffel.
From 1815 to 1818 he studied at Requireskey Zemstvo school in 1820-ies he took private art lessons, painted commissioned portraits and landscapes. After finishing the Dresden Academy of fine arts traveled to Italy, and was close to artists-time Nazarene works (L. Richter, C. Peschel, and G. Zimmerman). Since 1827 has completed private commissions in Saint-Petersburg.
After the execution in 1832, a group portrait of the children of Emperor Nicholas I (Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, Olga Nikolaevna and Alexandra Nikolaevna) was invited to the court and appointed court painter. The first order image to a Gothic chapel in the country "Alexandria" in Peterhof. For this work, the Neff received a life pension and permission to stay in Rome. During the tour of Italy (1835 – 1837) Neff copied the works of old masters of the XVI century, and above all, Raphael. For the image for the small Church of the Winter Palace Neff received the title of academician and was presented the order of St. Anna 3rd degree.
The best works of T. A. Neff – icons Saint Isaac's Cathedral. From 1844 to 1857, he wrote of the image: Jesus Christ with the upcoming mother of God, John the Baptist, the angels and the saints over the Royal doors of the main iconostasis. In the Royal doors is the icon of the Annunciation and the four evangelists, two local Episcopal icons of the Saviour and mother of God. On the first tier of the main iconostasis – the icon of Saint. PRP. Isaac Of Dalmatia, SV. Nicholas Of Myra, St. Peter the Apostle, St. blgv. led. kN. Alexander Nevsky, St. Catherine and St. of Paul the Apostle (transferred to mosaic in the second. Paul. The nineteenth century). In the main altar of the Cathedral – the work of Neff Vernicle. They also created seven images for the niches of the pylons:the Nativity of the virgin;the Descent of the Holy. Spirit on the apostles;the Ascension;in the temple of the Mother of God;Holy virgin;Jesus Christ sends your way Avgeriou;the Exaltation of the Holy cross.
Scenic original T. A. Neff was the mosaic icons of the iconostasis in the chapel of St. Catherine: The Savior, The Virgin, Saints Peter And Paul. Catherine and Anastasia.
The funds GUK GMP St Isaac's Cathedral are picturesque originals for the Nave mosaic of the icons of the first tier of the main iconostasis: the Holy virgin St. Catherine St. Isaac Of Dalmatia, SV. the Apostle Paul, ne. the Apostle Peter sketches for the Royal doors of the main iconostasis.
A special, prayerful mood in the images of St. Isaac's Cathedral by T. A. Neff reached thanks to the sophistication of composition, color, lighting, rhythm and movement of the figures. For this work in 1849 he received the title of Professor of historical and portrait painting, taught in a beautiful, natural, drawing and sketch classes at the art Academy.
T. A. Neff, a typical is a romantic artist, striving for the ideal. Basis of his work was the philosophy of Schelling and Hegel. Like many artists of 1860-1870, Neff worked in the "Byzantine" spirit". Typical examples of "Byzantium" can be considered the image in the small iconostasis of the chapel of St. Catherine. In 1860 – 1870-ies of the largest works of Neff become icons for the chapel in nice, the Church in London and an image for the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
