Isaak Ilych Levitan studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture from 1873 to 1885. Journeys he took throughout Russia, Crimea, Finland, Italy, France, and Switzerland in the 1890s - were crucial to his art. The Artist's Volga (Volga is one of the biggest rivers in Russia) landscapes brought him fame and glory.
Levitan took part in the Itinerant exhibitions since 1884 and he became a member in 1891. From 1898 to 1900 he headed the department of landscape painting at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. In 1898 Levitan got the award of membership in the Academy. He became a close friend of famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov.
Savrasov's student, Levitan became known for his "landscapes of moods." He followed the path of his teacher, Polenov, by making further progress in plain air painting, bringing it closer to impressionism.
