Biography Sofia Kuvshinnikova

dr kuvshinnikov (from hunters @ rest vasily perov)

she born family of minor civil servant. after education stressed fine arts, married dr dmitri kuvshinnikov, doctor police department older. in 1871, appeared 1 of figures in painting vasily perov ( hunters @ rest ). exhibited @ showing peredvizhniki and, afterwards, modest apartment became gathering place creative community; group came include levitan , chekhovs.

portrait levitan (1888)

sofia acted hostess and, many, considered 1 of chief attractions there. not played piano , sewed costumes, went out hunting, dressed man, , brought full bag of game.

in 1886, chekhov brothers introduced levitan kuvshinnikovs. levitan considered himself ladies man , fixed sights on sofia, although thirteen years senior. often, bring art materials , paint while played piano. in 1888 he, sofia, , alexei stepanov took steam trip on volga. found attracted town of plyos , decided stay. remained until 1890. there studied him , improved amateur painting skills.

landscape church, near plyos kuvshinnikova - 1893

the grasshopper dates shortly after time. chekhov published short story in sever mgazine s nos. 1 , 2, january 1892 issues. story concerns lecherous man has affair wife leaving innocent husband destroy himself. levitan , kuvshinnikova both offended although central figure in story young wife , kuvshinnikova 42. dark , talented painter , chekhov s character blond , not artist. stronger similarity husband dr kuvshinnikov tolerant of disloyalty him grasshopper forgave wife s indiscretions. she, levitan , husband travelled , considered ménage trois.

chekhov close friend of sofia s , may have had strong affections her. story way of criticizing betrayal, both of him , innocent husband, , created small scandal. according memoirs of chekhov s brother, mikhail, situation led duel levitan, avoided intercession of mutual friend, tatiana shchepkina-kupernik. nevertheless , chekhov no longer friends. husband s understanding illustrated in later gave levitan. , family jews being expelled out of city. dr kuvshinnikov interceded authorities allow wife s lover return.

it unclear if there ever formal separation husband but, in 1894, , levitan settled @ estate on lake ostrovno in tver oblast. before long, began affair younger woman neighboring estate , returned moscow. reconciled , broke twice more; in 1895 , 1897.

from on, pursued own career painter , maintained friendships numerous artists, writers , performers. in august 1907, visiting friends @ estate near moscow, when fell ill dysentery , died.