In 1801, he was sent to Saint Petersburg to train and study with the Second Cadet Corps,[1] but had not completed his courses at the time of the French Invasion in 1812.

He was mustered into the Army as an officer, under the command of General Pyotr Bagration, and fought at the Battle of Borodino, where his leg was pierced by a bullet.

[1] While in Paris, he tried his hand at oil painting and wanted to study in Italy, but his father would not provide the necessary support, so he returned to Russia, retired with the rank of Major and settled in Moscow, where he married and started a family.

[2] He tried to improve his skills by copying famous paintings at the museums there,[2] then moved to Saint Petersburg, so he could have access to the works at the Hermitage.

[1] He also did murals at private residences; notably at a mansion belonging to Yusupov family; now home to the St. Petersburg Institute of International Trade, Economics and Law.