Alexei Vasilievich Hanzen (1876, Odessa – 1937, Dubrovnik)

Fine and quick atmospheric watercolour in sepia. Signed to the lower left 'A.Hanzen'

Alexei Hanzen was born in 1876 in the Black Sea port of Odessa. He was the grandson of the great marine painter Ivan Aivazovski, in whose studio he spent his youth learning the techniques of the master. After initial study in law, he took up his artistic education, studying in Fine Art academies in Berlin & Dresden. From there he continued on to Munich and later Paris, where he trained under Tony Robert-Fleury and Jules Lefebvre. Hanzen worked for a short period as a journalist and illustrator travelling to the Caucasus, Crimea, and the Balkans.

Between 1904 and 1912 Hanzen was living in Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Sweden. Significant artistic recognition came after 1907 with exhibitions in Florence, Berlin, and Paris. His works were very well regarded and in demand with pictures being shipped to Europe & America. In 1909 Hanzen travelled to the Crimea and to the Caucasus, and in the same year was appointed to the position of an official artist of the Naval Ministry. In 1910, owing to his art collecting and following on from the lead of his grandfather, he set up an art museum in Odessa. Hanzen's personal collection consisted of almost 400 works of art by artist including Aivazovsky, Vrubel, Roerich, Brodsky and etchings by Rembrandt.

Hanzen moved to St. Petersburg in 1914, to the former estate of his grandfather. He was a regular visitor to his beloved Crimea, which inspired relentless painting in oil and particularly watercolour, as well as engraving. After the beginning of the First World War his main client became the War Office and, in 1915, Hanzen was transferred to serve in the navy Department, with an appointment for the admiralty.

Following the Russian Revolution Hanzen emigrated to Croatia in 1920. He first moved to Zagreb, and then settled in Dubrovnik. During the 1920's he exhibited in Europe and internationally and painted actively until his death in 1937. Today, his works are on display in the Feodosia Art Gallery in Crimea and Odessa Art Museum, as well as in the Royal Collections of Italy, Croatia and Romania.

He is best regarded for his lyrical landscapes of Crimea and Europe, and as a powerful force in 20th century Russian maritime art.

UK mainland delivery quoted.

Please enquire for overseas delivery costs.