Grigory Soroka

Grigoriy Vasilyevich Soroka (Russian: Григорий Васильевич Сорока, real surname Vasilyev (Васильев); November 27 [O.S. November 15] 1823—April 22 [O.S. April 10] 1864) was a Russian painter, one of the most notable members of Venetsianov school.

Self-portrait

Life

Soroka was born as a serf in Pokrovskoye village (Tver Guberniya), owned by the Milyukov family. In 1842-1847 he studied art from Alexey Venetsianov then he was returned to his owner. In the 1850s-1860s he resided in his home village. He fell in love with his owner's daughter Lydia but was forcibly married to a serf woman. After the emancipation reform of 1861 in Russia, Soroka remained under the serfdom system. He made a formal complaint but it was rejected and he was flogged. Soroka's body was found in the baking room where he had hanged himself.[1] His beloved Lydia poisoned herself soon after.

Art

Though Soroka's surviving output is relatively small and includes no more than 20 undated paintings, Soroka proved himself to be a gifted draughtsman. He also painted several icons for local churches, among them Saviour Not Made by Hands.

References
  1. B. Eklof, ‘Worlds in Conflict: Patriarchal Authority, Discipline and the Russian School, 1861-1914’, Slavic Review 50 4 (1991) 792; Hrono.ru

Further reading
  • (in Russian) Обухов, В. Григорий Сорока. М., 1982
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