A well-known architect, Alexander Brullov was also a distinguished draughtsman and watercolourist. Including pencil and watercolour portraits, views and genre scenes, the artist’s graphic heritage was immense and exceedingly diverse. Alexander Brullov spent a great deal of time with Vasily Perovsky in the summer of 1824. In a letter home to his parents, he describes him as “a direct and wonderful man who loves a quiet life and the arts.”
Vasily Alexeyevich Perovsky (1795–1857): Illegitimate son of Count Alexei Razumovsky. Fought in the Patriotic War (1812) and the Russo-Turkish War (1828). Adjutant general (1833), member of the State Council (1845), count (1855). Brother of the writer Anton Pogorelsky and friend of the poet Vasily Zhukovsky.

Brullov Alexander

Brullov (Bruleau), Alexander Pavlovich
1798, St Petersburg -1877, St Petersburg
Architect, draughtsman, watercolour artist, lithographer. Portraitist, genre painter, landscape artist. Studied at the Academy of Arts (1810-21). Sent abroad along with his brother Karl by the Artists Support Society. Lived and worked mostly in Italy, though also lived and worked in France and Germany (1821-30). Designed the restoration project for the Pompeii bath-houses (1826), engraved in Paris (1829). Made an academician for a series of projects and watercolour portraits (1831). Taught architecture at the Imperial Academy of Arts (1831-37), professor (1832), professor emeritus (1854). Member of the Milan Academy of Arts, corresponding member of the Paris Academy of Arts, full member of the London Royal Institute.