Mikhail Mikeshin

Tchaikovsky Research
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Mikhail Mikeshin (1835-1896), in an 1888 portrait by Ilya Repin (1844–1930)

Russian artist, sculptor and writer (b. 9/21 February 1835 in Roslavl, near Smolensk; d. 19/31 January 1896 in Saint Petersburg), born Mikhail Osipovich Mikeshin (Михаил Осипович Микешин).

A student of the Imperial Academy of Arts from 1852 to 1858, his pictures of historical scenes won him the admiration of Russian royalty, and he was a tutor to junior members of the Imperial family. His first major sculptural work was the Millennium of Russia at Novgorod (1859). From 1876 to 1878 he also edited a satirical magazine The Bee (Пчела)

When Mikeshin met Tchaikovsky in Saint Petersburg in September 1893, the composer agreed to write a March based on two folk tunes suggested by Mikeshin, although this was not accomplished before Tchaikovsky's death the next month.

Correspondence with Tchaikovsky

One letter from Tchaikovsky to Mikhail Mikeshin has survived, dating from 1893, and has been translated into English on this website:

Bibliography

External Links