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KARELIN, ANDREY OSIPOVICH
marked by high artistry and more to it by elaborate and
subtle technical effi ciency.” In 1876 Karelin was given
the honorary title of photographer of the Emperor’s
Academy of Arts. In the 1870s he worked the Nizhny
Novgorod fair from his studio. Karelin successfully
exhibited his works at photo-exhibitions at home and
abroad. In 1873, he took part in the sixth International
exhibition of pictorial photography in Vena, and in 1876
he won the silver medal at a Special exhibition of the
French photography society in Paris. He also won a
bronze medal at the centennial Exhibition held in Phila-
delphia in 1876 to mark the centenary of the foundation
of the United States of America. The photograhs that
he exhibited at the Edinburgh Photographic Society’s
Exhibition in 1876 and 1877 were very well received,
and Karelin was awarded a gold medal and a diploma.
In 1878 Karelin became a member of the French na-
tional academy of arts and was given a diploma from
the French photography society and a gold medal at the
eighth World exhibition in Paris.
Even though Karelin was very successful with pho-
tography, he never stopped painting. For more then 30
years he worked as the head and teacher of a drawing
and painting school that, since pedagogy was of great
importance to Karelin, gave free lessons for all students.
The school had 30 to 40 students of all ages. In 1886 he,
along with other local artists, organized a provincial art
exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod. Some of his students
such as M. Dmitriev, S. Solovjev and his son A. Kare-
lin later became famous. Karelin’s activities were not
just confi ned to Nizhny Novgorod. In fact, he created
portraits for and was friendly with people from all overKarelin, Andrey Osipovich.
Conversation in the Salon.
From the Art Album of Photos from Life
1870–1880s. Private Collection: Alexei
Loginov.