Marceli Suchorowski   (1840-1908)   

A painter mainly of  women. What Is Known:   Born: 1840 in Galicia  (SW Poland). Died: 3/16/1908. Entered the Imperial Art Academy of St. Petersburg in 1858. Recipient of a five Silver Medals from the Imperial Art Academy in St. Petersburg. Two in 1863, two in 1865, and one in 1866. One of the medals in 1865 was for drawing. He received the rank of Painter First Class in 1872 for his portrait of Madame Rapoporte. He was given the rank of Academist in 1874 for his portrait of Princess Galitzen, and upon presentation of NANA to the Soviet of Professors gained status as Professor. He started giving courses in painting for men and women in St. Petersburg in 1902. The Forward to the St. Louis Exhibition of 1904 lists Suchorowski among the well known of the Imperial Academy of Arts. Probably the most famous of the St. Petersburg salon painters in the 1880's. After his financial success with Nana he produced only the occasional work of art. The Years Art 1909 reports he made 60,000 pounds sterling of his exhibitions of Nana, which would translate to over 5 million in 1999 dollars. Part of his success was his early use of artificial lighting and unusual display techniques such as surrounding the painting in red satin drapery instead of a frame and setting the room with salon furniture. His large works were displayed in such a way that when entering a darkened room with artificial lighting the women appeared lifelike and part of the room. His paintings were done with great technical skill but the installations were the key to his financial success. He was criticized from conservative critics because his works were considered very risqué for the times. His financial success inspired a whole generation of young salon painters in St. Petersburg. He was a leading member of the St. Petersburg Society of Artists formed about 1890 until his death. He suffered from a fire and ill health in his later years.