[2] In 1854, he was awarded a gold medal and, the following year, received the title of "Artist" for his painting of Jesus at the home of Martha and Mary.

In 1856, he was named an "Academician" for his depiction of the priest Sylvester with Ivan the Terrible during the Fire of Moscow.

[2] After his father's death in 1867, the family's affairs fell into the hands of his older brother who, through mismanagement or extravagance, soon left them without means.

[1] Although he was temperamentally unsuited to teaching, he was named a Professor in 1869 for his version of the death of the Tsarevich Dmitri.

[3] Despite his career successes, he was dissatisfied because he had to paint by commission, rather than what he chose and, eventually, being the sole support of his indebted brother's family took its toll in the form of an enlarged heart, which led to his death at the age of fifty-three.