[3] In 1877, after receiving his father's permission, he began auditing classes at the Imperial Academy of Arts, then became a student of the landscape painter Mikhail Clodt.

[1] In 1890, his painting "Притихло" ("hushing" or "silencing", before the storm) was purchased by Tsar Alexander III for his collection at the Winter Palace.

From 1890 to 1900, he travelled extensively, visiting the Azov Sea, the Volga Region and the Caucasus as well as locations abroad, ranging from Turkey to France and Italy to Germany.

After his friend Yaroshenko's death in 1898, he became one of the leaders of the Peredvizhniki and was known as a moderating force when the newer members had disagreements with the older ones.

During this time, he also hosted a Tuesday "Salon", which was attended by notable figures from the scientific community, as well as by artists, writers and musicians.