Description This book delves into the early artistic journey of Nikolay Krasnov, a celebrated Russian architect and artist. Enrolling in the Moscow College of Art at age 12, Krasnov’s talent emerged during his formative years, earning him multiple accolades for his architectural studies. His newly discovered sketchbook, presented in this volume, offers a rare glimpse into his early works, showcasing 29 black chalk drawings created as academic exercises during the late 1880s. These sketches reveal Krasnov’s skill in capturing figures, horses, and dynamic scenes with striking anatomical precision and artistic expressiveness. A highlight of the collection is a tender portrait of Princess Nathalie Poutiatine, drawn during art lessons Krasnov conducted in Malta in 1919. This sketchbook, gifted by Krasnov to the princess and later passed to its current owner, also includes studies of Cossacks, cavalrymen, and vivid depictions of motion and life. Complementing the sketches are reflections from Princess Poutiatine, recounting her lessons with Krasnov under the Maltese sun, where she learned to master the interplay of light and shade in watercolor. This book provides an intimate exploration of Krasnov’s artistic process and the cultural exchanges that shaped his extraordinary career.
