August Albo
Encyclopedia
August Albo was an Estonian
artist
who studied at the Russian Royal Academy of Art but lived most of his life in New York City
. The actual date of his death is unknown, most sources saying 1963 (which is most likely correct), although some individuals claim that they commissioned him to do portraits well into the 1980s.
The details of his life are obscure, with no sure sources, but most seem to agree that he painted for the Czar in Moscow
before the Russian Revolution. As a young man, he was also said to have been a ballet
dancer (which may account for some of his most known work being of ballerinas), and a professional violinist.
During the beginning of his painting career, he focused on abstract art
. However, through appreciation for works from the old school of painting, he started painting with more realism. He was a very versatile artist, and could paint any given subject with incredible detail. He painted all over the world, particularly in cities with renowned ballets, such as Paris
, Moscow
, and Berlin
.
His most famous work was "Free as the Wind", a painting depicting running horses. He is also known for his ballerina paintings. One of his lesser known works was of Merike Sheinkin as a child, and he also painted a scene called "Ocean Views" depicting two small boats on a rocky beach.
It is uncertain what his real name was, but he would often sign paintings as "Rod Palmer" or "A. Curtis" in addition to simply "Albo".
Estonians
Estonians are a Finnic people closely related to the Finns and inhabiting, primarily, the country of Estonia. They speak a Finnic language known as Estonian...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
who studied at the Russian Royal Academy of Art but lived most of his life in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The actual date of his death is unknown, most sources saying 1963 (which is most likely correct), although some individuals claim that they commissioned him to do portraits well into the 1980s.
The details of his life are obscure, with no sure sources, but most seem to agree that he painted for the Czar in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
before the Russian Revolution. As a young man, he was also said to have been a ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
dancer (which may account for some of his most known work being of ballerinas), and a professional violinist.
During the beginning of his painting career, he focused on abstract art
Abstract art
Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century, underpinned by the logic of perspective and an...
. However, through appreciation for works from the old school of painting, he started painting with more realism. He was a very versatile artist, and could paint any given subject with incredible detail. He painted all over the world, particularly in cities with renowned ballets, such as Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
His most famous work was "Free as the Wind", a painting depicting running horses. He is also known for his ballerina paintings. One of his lesser known works was of Merike Sheinkin as a child, and he also painted a scene called "Ocean Views" depicting two small boats on a rocky beach.
It is uncertain what his real name was, but he would often sign paintings as "Rod Palmer" or "A. Curtis" in addition to simply "Albo".