The life and career are not justly forgotten academician.

The Art of Belarus of XIX - early XX century
After the third partition of Poland (1795), the Belarusian land became part of the Russian state. In 1840, as a result of the defeat of the liberation uprising in 1831, Belarus became officially known as "North-Western edge."
Exhausted wars, people do not immediately able to develop their skills. In 1831 Vilnius University was closed - the main center of arts education and for Belarus and Lithuania. The only place where they could receive training artists - natives of Belarus, - became artistic institutions of St. Petersburg and Moscow. For these reasons, the legacy of the XIX century artists - natives of Belarus - is included in the context of art history in Russia, Poland, Lithuania, large collections of their works are in collections of National Museums in Warsaw and Krakow, the Lithuanian Art Museum in Vilnius, the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
Art of Belarus of the first half - the middle of XIX century gives a characterization of the expressive works of Belarusian artists, many working in Russia - Sergei and Josef Oleshkevich Zaryanko. By the second half of XIX century in the history of art the artist's name sounds Belarus Silivanovicha Nicodemus.

childhood
Nicodemus was born Silivanovich 13 (25) in December 1834 in the village Tsintsevichi, in the town Vilejka (Vilna province, not far from Molodechno) in the family land-hungry peasants. The family of Nicodemus was a big one. Father Yuri (Yuri Ivanovich Silivanovich) (1799-1883) was married twice. From the first wife Anastasia have Jyrki had five children (Venice, Constance, Elizabeth, Urszula, Nicodemus). From the second wife of Joseph 'Petruneli two, (Franz and Felix). Childhood Nicodemus was in the village, tending cattle, helped his parents on the farm. Nicodemus had already had the inclination to the arts, agriculture and land him a little attracted. By execution of 16 years, Nicodemus began to attend college for the nobility pyatiklasnoe in the town of Molodechno. This School in 1811 moved from Bobruisk at the request of Prince Francis. Yuri from 1846 to 1857 was the elder of the rural masses. It is believed that this post has helped Owned Nicodemus to arrange a school for the nobility. At the end of school, in 1854 he was invited to teach a child of a nobleman living in Molodechno. Education of children was not a pleasant one, so often picking up a pencil, drawing Nicodemus.

Education
Molodechno landowner noticed this ability, the desire to support the young men learn the art and in 1855 sent for his account of Nicodemus to study in St. Petersburg in the "Society for the Encouragement of Artists", the creation in 1820, for training and preparation for entry into volnoprihodyaschim Imperaturskuyu Academy hudezhestv . The following year, 1856, Nicodemus has successfully passed the exams at the Academy and went to the specialization of "portraiture." His teachers were Professor Fedor Bruni, Alexei Markov and Timothy Neff.


It is worth noting that among classmates Nikodemas, with whom he maintained friendly relations, there were many future masters of Russian painting. Among them - Ivan Kramskoy, Pavel Chistyakov, Ivan and Vasily Vereshchagin Trutnev. The latter will open later in the Vilnius School of Drawing. Nicodemus was a talented portraitist. This is indicated by many of his works and self portraits. Felt in all academic works.

Academic paintings Silivanovicha from 1856 to 1877 Lithuanian Art Museum

January 29, 1863 due to illness, his father Nicodemus petitioned to terminate their studies at the Academy and asked the Board for its work during their studies to assign him the title of free artist.

A trip to Vilnus

Vilnus 1864

In 1864, Nicodemus was leaving to live in Vilnus. But at that time passed the rebellion. It is believed that Nicodemus was in contact with the participants of the uprising and its poderzhku ideii of the Rise.
In 1864-1866, he lived in Vilnuse, founded his own studio. He earned a living by drawing pictures, portraits and orders churches. In Vilnuse Nicodemus met with the landlord's wife's sister Ignace Quinta Vikentievna Prantskyavichyute Pelagia and her brother priest Viktorosom. A little later, Nicodemus married Pelagia and started a family. But after the uprising of life in the Vilnuse froze. The number of customers decreased, exhibitions were held less frequently.
In 1864, Nicodemus was invited by the Committee on the arrangement of the Orthodox Church in Leeds County Vilnius province for writing icons of St. Alexander Nevsky and the portraits of the Emperor in the local church. Work on the images ended up in 1865

Return to St. Petersburg and began teaching mosaic
In early 1866 Nicodemus and his wife arrived in St. Petersburg. In August of that year for the provision of work was awarded the grade 3 class artist, and given the rank of class XII. A September 5 Nicodemus filed a petition for him to zacheslenii Department to study the mosaic tile art. The main purpose of the mosaic, organized by the rector of the Academy of F. Bruni, has been in creating murals and stained glass windows for St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Mosaic Building Department. 1914 St. Petersburg

Pelagia in the same year, gives to Nicodemus first son Stephen (born September 2, 1866)
In November of this year, the rector of tile department Silvanovich Bruni was asked to make a copy of the image of the Savior, with its original oily paints and then create a copy of this first mazaichny image. In 1867 takes part in the creation of a mosaic image of the "Saviour in glory," "Savior on the throne" for the Shrine of the princes Pozharskys.
Efimov Saviour Monastery in Suzdal is known that there are buried almost all of Prince Pozharsky, family tomb which was near the altar of the Transfiguration Cathedral. Above the graves there was a stone tent. In 1765-1766 he was razobrana.S years the burial place of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky (the same - remember - Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky) - Hero's Time of Troubles - was firmly forgotten. Found only in the grave in 1852. Work on the construction of the mausoleum was started by a decision of the Emperor Alexander II in 1858 on voluntary donations collected throughout the country. June 2, 1885 the grand opening and consecration. Order to produce a mosaic, a mosaic Department received in 1867 over her godu.Rabotali Silivanovich Nicodemus, John Laveretsky, Pavel Vasilyev. Finished in 1869. In pursuance of this image Nicodemus received 2711 rubles and 30 kopecks. Mausoleum in 1933 was dismantled and preserved only the mosaic icon of "Christ on the throne" or "Savior in glory." She exhibited in the cathedral.

The Shrine of the XIX century. Mosaic "Christ on the throne." The Shrine of our days.

Also, his work was written "with a soldier boy," his only job Katori stored in the Art Museum of Belarus.

"A soldier with the boy," 1867 Belarussian art museum

July 3, 1869 was born the second son of Joseph.
In 1870, a portrait of the elder parish Bonifatova, Silivanovich was named artist 2 step and grade XII class.

Nicodemus Silivanovich. Family photos, April 1870 St.Petersburg Ludwig Photoweb Kluwer. Property Petruaskone Rita, Lithuania

In the same 1870 work begins on creating a mosaic image of the "Last Supper" for the main iconostasis of St. Isaac's Cathedral. In the same year he completed his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Department of the mosaic and remained there to work as a junior artist and Mosaic. Nicodemus did not forget about his small home, and often visits Tsintsevichi. And as with his wife and children traveled in Vilnus to friends and relatives.

"Portrait of the old parish Banifatov" 1870 Lithuanian Art Museum

Mosaic "The Last Supper" above the Holy Doors of the main iconostasis in St. Isaac's Cathedral. 1870-1887 g

The Last Supper.
 SA Zhivago. 1845-46, the oil on wood. 44,5 × 71,9.
 The State Tretyakov Gallery

mosaic above the Holy Doors of the main iconostasis in St. Isaac's Cathedral. 1887
 In the original SA Zhivago (1805-1863).
 Performed IA Pelevin, I. Kudrin, NY Silivanovich, IA Laveretsky, VA Kolosov, F. Hartung, NM Golubtsov and MP Ants. In this composition is very reliable depth of the space given to the original, its well-developed range of colors, skillfully used the effect of mixing colors (coat of Judas).

wanted to manufacture a mosaic image of the "Last Supper" by SA iskizu Zhivago, mosaic Branch of the Academy of Fine Arts received in June 1870. Mosaic was installed in 1883 above the Holy Doors of the main iconostasis of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg. To create a mosaic has been spent 18,359 rubles and 50 kopecks. Nicodemus for his work has received 2993 rubles 25 kopecks.
November 24, 1872 was born the third son of Kazimierz.

In March 1873 was included in the list of assistants in the creation of a mosaic image of the Mother and Child for the Tomb of the Shuvalov Counts Vestbadene iskizu professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts of Charles Vinig Bagdanovicha.

November 24, 1873 Nicodemus and his friend Michael mozaichist Shchetinin poluchli order to create a mosaic image of the "Judas Kiss" for St. Isaac's Cathedral.

The mosaic image of the "Judas Kiss" in St. Isaac's Cathedral, the St.Petersburg 1873-1885

It is believed that St. Isaac's Cathedral are the most valuable mosaic artist. For example, the same mosaic of "Judas Kiss", made on the basis of a picture of Karl Bryullov. Above it is the artist with his assistant and friend Michael Schetinin worked for over 10 years. Excluding the cost of materials work has cost the treasury 21 900 rubles (a huge sum in those days!). This image was completed March 14, 1885 This work can be considered one of the best. She has been featured in many exhibitions, both in Russia and abroad.

"Judas Kiss" 1873-1885 N. Silivanovich, M. Shchetinin Bryulova of cardboard. St. Isaac's Cathedral.

in St. Isaac's Cathedral there is a mosaic work, in which Nicodemus Silivanovich took an active part.
 In the Russian State Historical Archive of St. Petersburg, I found the case number 267 Inventory number 8, the fund number 789 "The Case of the performance of the image of Christ Carrying the attic of St. Isaac's Cathedral" from August 1873 to March 14, 1885
From this case it was clear that on the way to work a few artists Mosaic:
 A. I. Loviretsky
 2.V. Kolosov
 3.N.Silivanovich
 4.I. Pelevin, and others
 N.Silivanovich began work in November 1881. Finished in this mosaic of land on their feet drape the figure number 3, purple pleated drapes, leg number 1 figure, played glow over the head of Christ and Cres t

mosaic "Christ Carrying the Cross" from 1873 to 1885 GV Isaac Sabor.

March 21, 1874 for his work on mozaikay "Last Supper" was awarded the title of the class artist of the first degree, and given the rank of the X class.

In 1875 by order of a resident Eznasa Vincent Prantskyavichyute Quinta Eznaskoy for the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and St. John the Baptist, Nicodemus pishit copy of the work of Italian artist Guido Reni's "St. Archangel Michael. "

, N. Silivanovich, "St. Archangel Michael" in 1875, in tserkav Eznase, Lithuania.

August 7, 1876 born the fourth son of Stanislaw

November 4th of St.Petersburg Imperial Academy of Arts for the excellent knowledge in the art of mosaic Silivanovicha recognized his academic and awarded the rank of class IX.

In the same 1876 in Philadelphia, with the great success of his paintings was exhibited "Prisoners."

From 1877 to 1884 Nicodemus has created several works for the church in Eznase "Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary," and, together with the v1894 Z. Stefanskisam wrote altar work, "St. Mark, "which was donated by the Church of Ignacio Kaluzhyavichyusam.
-Tserkav in Eznase
The interior of the church-Iznasskoy
-N.Silivanovich, "Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary," 1877-1884, the
- N. Silivanovich, "St. Anthony Poduansky" 1894
- N. Silivanovich, "St. Mark" in 1894
For Isaac's Cathedral and the artist has created some of the other mosaics. For example, for the dome in a mosaic depicting the evangelists, he made a head of St. Matthew and the Angel, St. Mark's hand with a book and part of the drapery, as well as St. Luke's portrait of Mary.

The Apostle Luke, the Apostle Mark, the Apostle Matthew, John the Evangelist

The dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral, mosaic images of Evangelicals from 1882 to 1915. Performed IA Pelevin, I. Kudrin, NY Silivanovich, IA Laveretsky, VA Kolosov, V. Sorokin, M. Szczecin, Vasil'ev et al

Living and working in St. Petersburg, Nicodemus maintained ties with Lithuania and came to Birštonas, something to spend summer vacation with his family. During the rest Nicodemus being charged with creative energy, nurturing new ideas. Sketches are made on the walks became the basis for future painting genre, such as was exhibited in 1890 at the Academy of Fine Arts exhibition Peterburskoy canvas "Friends" or "Children playing in the yard."
In one of these walks with a cane and a notebook for sketches of Nicodemus had the idea to portray himself as the "Self-Portrait in a Straw Hat"

"Self-Portrait in a Straw Hat" Lithuanian Art Museum

In the late 70's his wife's health deteriorated. And in 1880, Nicodemus began construction in Birštonas (Lithuania) at the foot of Vytautas the wooden house. During his stay in St. Petersburg for the construction of the houses looked nyamayunsky priest Anzelmas Nonyavichyus.
April 12, 1881 Nicodemus was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus cavalerian 3 degrees.

In 1883 in St. Petersburg for the main altar of the church in Nyamayunay he painted the "St. The Apostles Peter and Paul "
Nemayunayskaya tserkav, 1878
- N. Silivanovich, "Christ and St. Mary Magdalene," 1892
-H. Silivanovich "apostaly St. Peter and Paul," in 1883
From 1883 to 1885 together with Reinhard owned shop. He came often in Birštonas pictures.

September 12, 1885 Nicodemus Silivanovicha and Ivan Kudrin presented to the rank of senior artists of Mosaic, as it is decent in the performance of mosaic work.

At this time of severe illness dying wife of Nicodemus. On his upbringing and the content remains four sons. The eldest son - Stephen went to his father's footsteps and June 9, 1886 entered into volnosluzhitelem painting department of the Imperial Academy of Arts. He graduated March 18, 1889 In 1896, on the recommendation of the famous academician Lev Zhukovsky, Dmitry Caucasus goes travel to Russia for a lesson in painting and photography.

Stephen Silivanovicha work. "Nyamayunskaya tserkav" 1892 and "Father and daughter in Turmen" Lithuanian Art Museum.

Casimir graduated from medical school and became a doctor. Stanislav polchil a chemist, but Joseph, not being in full health (paralyzed arm), receiving general education, gardening and watching the house in Birštonas.
In 1889 in the style of the traditional iconography of the work was written by Nicodemus, "St. Francis of Assisi "for Punyanskoy church.

- Punyaskaya tserkav 1860
- The interior of the church Punyaskoy
- N.Silivanovich, "St. Francis of Assisi" in 1889
In 1890 at the Academy of Fine Arts exhibition Peterburskoy shows paintings "Friends".

In 1891 wrote the best-known works by the artist "Studio of the Lithuanians Eznasa", "Litovka of Eznasa in formal attire"

In 1892 he wrote another work for Nyamayunskoy church, "Christ and St. Mary Magdalene," the artist to the attention of the church Nyamayunskoy no accident. We know that Nicodemus comes to the committee for the construction of the church.

In 1893 the church for Staklishskoy painted "Prisvyataya Mary Rosario," and he wrote to the 1885-1895 painting, "St. Francis of Assisi. "
- Staklishskaya tserkav 1776
- N.Silivanovich "St. Francis of Assisi," 1885-1895, the
April 2, 1895 his Honour Silivanovich cavalry receives the Order of St. Anne's Grade 3.

, N. Silivanovich Portraits "Woman embroiders", "Litovka of Eznasa", "Portrait of a Woman," "Portrait of Rusteykayte"

Cathedral of the Resurrection on the Blood Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg

Letter to the tile department of the Imperial Academy of Arts

April 28, 1895 № 67 (page 11)

Lyrics: Going back to the images of "St. Alexander Nevsky "and" The Resurrection of Christ "I have the honor to inform that the execution of a mosaic of images entrusted to senior artist mozaichist Kudrin image of" St. Alexander Nevsky "and N. Silivanovich" Resurrection of Christ. " This work may well be finished in three years and a half, counting the time from the date of order.

Interim Head of the Department of Mosaic Chistyakov

Bottom postscript: Above agree to execute the assigned job within three years and a half of the amount specified in the application.

I. Kudrin, N. Silivanovich.

The order for the mosaic is from 1 July 1895. Two marble slabs for the mosaics of the sculptor's workshop preparing Aksenovskogo (purchase order which was received September 25, 1895). Mosaic images were completed in 1901. Payment mosaic department was 13,800 rubles.

, MV Nesterov, "The Resurrection of Christ" 1894 oil on canvas. GMIR Mosaic N.Silivanovich to Nesterov

signature on the paper "Silivanovich 1901 with Nesterov"
November 28, 1898 Academy of mosaics, Titular counselor Nicodemus Y. Silivanovich as a consequence of eye disease and old age, does not have the opportunity to continue mosaic work. In this regard, he addressed a petition to the President of the Academy to dismiss him from the artists mazaichistov. Nicodemus has served the Academy in '32 2 months 21 days, and was the highest among the retired academics Mosaic 1468 rubles 20 kopecks per year.

In 1899 the first time participated in an art exhibition in Vilnuse which presented two portraits and three paintings of genre. In 1901 he moved to live in Birštonas for permanent residence in the house he built, in which he lived and engaged in farming, his son Joseph and his wife Sophia. Thanks to a pension, the artist founded a small workshop under the glass roof, invited her sister to help Urushulyu on the content of the house.

March 22, 1904 sent to Russia for the artwork and photography activity.

In 1909 the Department wrote to the Vilnius 14 scenes of Way of the Cross of Christ (by Johann Friedrich Overbeck scenes)

In 1910, for a church under construction Birštonas created an image of "St. Apostle Jude Thaddeus "
Birštonas tserkav
-The interior of the church
- N.Silivanovich, "St. Jude Thaddeus," 1910
- N. silivanovich, "Jonas Karvelis," 1912
In 1911 N. Silivanovich received an inheritance lived in Vilnuse Prantskyavichyusa B., brother of the wife, and welcome the support of his nephew's wife Pelagia, eznasskogo Lyaonasa Quinta landlord, who then sold the land of his estate. Adding sobstvennyee savings, he bought his son Joseph, the former building of the horse-post station in the Prienai and located around the earth.

in the House Silivanovicha Prienai (Lithuania) from 1911-1914, the memorial plaque to the 70th anniversary of his death, established in 1989

In 1912, painted a portrait of the priest Jonas Karvelis. Priest directed the work on construction kammennoy Birštonas St. Anthony of Padua.

A resident of Birštonas J. Zheymete that remembers H. Silivanovicha in those years, told me: "He was of medium height, has gray hair, always neatly and cleanly dressed. Very humble and polite. He lived modestly and economically, from time to time to vary the routine, organized holidays trip with her relatives on the hunt, walks through the neighborhood the Niemen. "

When the First World War Nicodemus Prienai left and went home. Niece of Joseph Nicodemus Frantsovna Kurdeko (Silivanovich), who lived in Tsintsevichah, told me: "We often come from Piterburg artist, lived for a long time in our house. Brought a lot of goodies, brought the first power loom, and then in the village we were given the nickname "The Weavers".

In 2006 in one of the Castelo in Vileika area was found Silivanovicha work, "St. Anthony Puduansky", dated 1915

, N. Silivanovich "" St. Anthony Poduansky "Belarus in 1915

 In 1919, back in Prienai, but decided to visit on the way home Vileika, where he died. Lithuanians show the date of death May 21, but the documentary confirmation of the date yet. Where the artist is buried is not known. But there is speculation that Nicodemus died in his native village and his pohronili close to his family in the village Tsintsevichi.

It's been more than 175 years anniversary of academician. During this time many izmenilos.Tak turned out that almost all of the legacy of the artist is stored in the Lithuanian Art Museum. The Belarusian Art Museum has only his work "A soldier with the boy," and in one of the churches in the area Vileika is his job, "St. Anthony Puduansky." In Russia, in St. Peterbuskih churches kept the best mosaic wizard. But there is unfortunately little of it that they know, as in Russian art history many of its talented artists. In Belarus, in the 80's the only time in Lithuania were brought to work Vileika Silivanovicha. The first who recalled in Vileika about academician, was an artist Boris Titovich. In 1996 officers visited the museum Vileika Peterbursky Historical Archives, where they took a copy of the personal affairs of the Academy of Fine Arts, through which it became known many facts from the life of Nicodemus. In 2009 the 175 th anniversary of NA Silivanovicha Tsintsevichi in the village was a memorable character creations, designed by architect and historian Anatol Kaptyuga. Much information has been found Vileyka local historian Anatoly Rogachev., He also found the information and made gealogicheskoe family tree of the artist. Teacher of drawing Svetlana Cebotari, which first released the excellent magazine "Art Treasures of Vileika edge," and then this summer, has developed and organized their own children in Vileika Picnic dedicated Silivanovichu.

Children's Picnic in the Vilejka 2011

Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize (1952) once said that "happiness - a good health and a bad memory." It is possible for an individual it is true, but for the society as a whole - barely. Unable to move in the future without forgetting its past. Poor memory for the whole of society - this is the way to its degeneration, the path to the destruction of the state. We must not forget our history, we must not forget their culture!


Compiled by: Vitaly Kurdeko

Materials: Archival materials RSHA, Silivanovicha brief biography written by his son (National Archives Museum of Art named Čiurlionis, Lithuania), the material of the Lithuanian Art Museum and the tourist center Birštonas Lithuania (brochure "In the wake Nicodemus Silivanovicha"), articles in the Lithuanian media (translated by Vladimir Zaichenko), materials Rogač Anatolia, Anatolia Koptyug. Reproductions of works Silivanovicha, courtesy of Art Museum of Lithuania, Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, sources from the Internet. Photo material: Gintaras Chyasonisa, Vaclovas Valuzhisa, Kurdeko Vitali, kraj.by, from the private collection of Rita Petruaskone, archival photographs from the personal collection Almantasa Milyauskasa