He entered the civil service in the early 19th century and moved to St. Petersburg, where he began to study art.

In 1819, devoting himself purely to art, Venetsianov left the service, bought the village of Safonkovo, and settled there.

Venetsianov wished to become a professor in the Academy of Arts, but the academicians did not grant him their approval, mainly because he lacked academic training.

During the years prior to 1820 he began to attract young people from poor backgrounds, and even serfs such as Grigory Soroka, to teach them painting.

Tsar Nicholas I, who liked to promote ‘national trends’, expressed his approval for the artist and appointed him a court painter.