1755-3-12 - 1797-7-12
A graduate of the Academy of arts from 1764 till 1773 he Received medals: in 1771, 1 silver and 1 gold for engraving "Lot and his daughters." In 1773, graduated from the Academy with diploma of the 1st degree artist historic engraver on copper and in the same year sent to the pensioner abroad (London); in 1782 he returned to St. Petersburg in 1785, received the title of academician and was appointed engraver of the Cabinet of Her Imperial Majesty, and Keeper of prints at the Hermitage. In addition to the engravings, was engaged in miniature painting.
(Kondakov)
G. I. Skorodumov enjoyed fame among his contemporaries as a virtuoso engraver and master of miniature portraits. His name is associated with the emergence in Russia of colored engravings, executed in a complex technique with a dotted line, which, however, later had a wide circulation.
Skorodumov was descended from a family of hereditary artists. Professional education he received at St. Petersburg Academy of arts, where he was identified by his father in 1764 the Art of engraving was trained under the guidance of N. Y. Kolpakov and G. F. Srebrenica.
By the time you graduate from AH Skorodumov brilliantly mastered the technique of engraving on copper, as evidenced by his engraving of "Cain" (1771) painting A. P. Losenko and "Lot and his daughters" (1772) from the painting by L.-J.-F. Lagrenée.
Awarded for his work a large gold medal, which gave the right to a pensioner's trip, Skorodumov went to England. Non-traditional seat of the pensioners, which at that time was England, was chosen. In London he lived by F. Bartolozzi, famous throughout Europe for the master entered the fashion color prints dotted line. Becoming his disciple, Skorodumov quickly mastered the new technique. In London, he works mainly with the picturesque originals German artist A. Kaufman. Its graceful, often inscribed in a circle of song from dancing or being sad female figures in ancient costumes as well as possible meet the tastes of the time. The first Russian engravers Skorodumov started to print them with colored prints, every time achieving a harmonious combination of muted pastel tones.
During his stay abroad, the artist executed around 20 dated prints a dotted line and a large copperplate engraving of "Susanna and the elders" of the original K. vanloo. Russian artist pretty soon became known in London. Dealers prints not bypassed his orders. Noble compatriots and foreigners are often looked to his Studio. Did this and then travelled in Europe with children Dashkova. Her portrait Skorodumov captured in the engraving.
He later included in the album, carried by Skorodumov in 1779 to Catherine the great. The album was more than 30 stunning prints of the artist's work, printed in reddish-brown tones. The Russian Empress, who knew a lot about art and specifically collects prints, could not help but appreciate the skill Skorodumova. In 1782, she invited the artist to return home in order to take the place of "engraver of the Cabinet" and the Keeper of engravings at the Hermitage and is very significant for those years monetary reward - 1,200 rubles per year. Skorodumov agreed.
However, such a successful start to his relationship with the Empress in the future did not happen. And though in 1785 AH elects Skorodumova academician of engraving, to teaching he was not involved and students were not. Skorodumov was in complete dependence on his patron, that very burdened freedom of the artist.
Despite this, he continued to work: was engraving a large sheet of "the Death of Potemkin" (drawing M. M. Ivanova pictures F. Casanova), planned to nagraviroval genre series of views of the Neva from 9 sheets, portraits oil, watercolor, drawing with pastels and pen. Especially good miniature image of V. I. Maikov, A. I. Musin-Pushkin and others - a strict, expressive, deep characteristics. True masterpieces can be considered a "Portrait of father" (I. Skorodumova) and two self-portraits. One of them is an intimate, keenly-psychological, drawn with the pen; the other representative, in growth, is made in complicated technique - watercolor, tinted whitewash and gouache, touched with ink. They seem to show two different Skorodumova: dispassionate and helpful, what the artist was on the people, and of the gall, deeply suffering, how he felt in reality. In Russia, his talent was not appreciated. Artistic talent is slowly fading into oblivion and poverty. He died from cholera.
