Levitsky D.G., (1735-1822), Artist

Categories / Art/Fine Arts/Personalia
LEVITSKY Dmitry Grigorievich (1735-1822, St. Petersburg) artist. He was a master of gala and chamber portrait paintings. He studied in Kiev under his father, Ukrainian graphic artist K. G. Levitsky (Nos) and A. P. Antropov (1758-64), he lived in Antropov's house in St. Petersburg. Already by 1762 he was famous as a portrait artist. In 1770 he became a member of the Academy, in 1771-87 he was in charge of the portrait class of the Academy of Arts, in 1780 he became a member of the Council of the Academy of Arts and a mason. The 1770s-80s marked the peak of his creative activity. He mostly painted St. Petersburg inhabitants and visitors. The most famous gala portraits by him are: P. A. Demidov, 1773, exhibited in the State Tretyakov Gallery, A. D. Lanskoy, 1782, held in the State Russian Museum, Catherine II - the Legislator, 1783, exhibited in the State Russian Museum, they are noted for their size and authenticity. The series of portraits depicting pupils of the Smolny Institute, 1772-76, held in the State Russian Museum, attracts the eye with its variety of colours and portrayal of psychological elements - making it a masterpiece of the gala genre of portraits. Chamber portraits of D. Diderot, 1773-74, exhibited in the Geneva Art Gallery, M. A. Dyakov, 1778, exhibited in the State Tretyakov Gallery, U. Mnishek, 1782, held at the State Tretyakov Gallery, Princess E. A. Vorontsova, 1780s, exhibited in the State Russian Museum), the artists daughter, 1785, exhibited in the State Tretyakov Gallery, was characterized by deep description of the personality belonging to the highest accomplishments of Levitsky. Levitsky was a close friend of G. R. Derzhavin, N. A. Lvov and N. I. Novikov. He lived on 23 Kadetskaya Line of Vasilievsky Island in 1799-1822 (today 23 Syezdovskaya Line, there is a memorial plaque on the building). He was buried at Smolenskoe Orthodox Cemetery (the tombstone has not survived).

References: Гершензон-Чегодаева Н. М. Дмитрий Григорьевич Левицкий. М., 1964; Молева Н. М. Дмитрий Григорьевич Левицкий. М., 1980; Дмитрий Григорьевич Левицкий, 1735-1822: Кат. Л., 1987; Кузнецов С. О. Неизвестный Левицкий: Портр. искусство живописца в контексте петерб. мифа. СПб., 1996.

V. V. Antonov. Antropov Alexey
Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich
Diderot Denis
Dyakova M.A.
Levitsky Dmitry Grigorievich
Levitsky K.G.
Lvov Nikolay Alexandrovich
Mnishek U.
Novikov Nikolay Ivanovich
Vorontsova Elizaveta Romanovna, Countess
Siezdovskaya Line of Vasilievsky Island/Saint Petersburg, city, house 23
Гершензон-Чегодаева Н. М. Дмитрий Григорьевич Левицкий. М., 1964
Молева Н. М. Дмитрий Григорьвич Левицкий. М., 1980
Кузнецов С. О. Неизвестный Левицкий: Портр. искусство живописца в контексте петерб. мифа. СПб., 1996
Дмитрий Григорьевич Левицкий, 1735 - 1822: Кат. Л., 1987 Academy of Arts
Academy of Arts
Russian Museum, State
Smolny Institute