Student of the Academy of Arts from 1862 to 1869 Received medals: in 1867, a small silver; in 1868; in 1869 - a large silver. In 1868 he graduated from the scientific course; in 1873 the title of class artist of 3 degrees. (Kondakov)
Born in the town of Kalyazin in a family of artists, painters, iconostases. Grandfather father's side, Mikhail Ivanovich Shishkin in 1822, founded in Kalyazin iconostasis workshop, which existed until 1917 Grandfather on my mother's side, Ivan Pavlovich Coast engaged art, icon-painting and iconostasis works in the churches of the Tver and Yaroslavl provinces. Was the first teacher of the artist Nikifora Stepanovich Krylov.