Mikhail Mikeshin

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

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 a few weeks later.

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