Nikolai Pimenov

[1] In 1836, he and Alexander Loganovsky presented a pair of statues with an unusual theme; two young men playing popular games (svaika and babka).

They were awarded a large gold medal, and received praise from Alexander Pushkin.

The following year, thanks to major grant, he was able to make a lengthy stay in Italy, where he spent time in Florence and Rome; modelling from nature.

A work he created there in 1842, "Boy Begging for Alms", was instrumental in his being named an Academician in 1844.

His students included Mark Antokolsky, Matvey Chizhov, and Fyodor Kamensky.