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Another genre-painter of the second half of
the 18th century was I. A. Yermenev (Ermenev), who painted in brown-red
monochrome scenes of the life of the poorest segments of the people, often of
beggars, a subject which was not of interest to the luxury-minded landlords and
merchants. Most probably it was because of this that Yermenev was repudiated
not only by prospective buyers but also by the Academy and by Betskii, who
refused to examine his work for its artistic value. Yermenev also painted
"The Peasant Supper," but among his best works are "The Singing
Blind Men," "The Beggars," "The Old Man and the Boy."
The following words were written, presumably by Yermenev, on the wall above his
bed shortly before he died: "It is more advantageous to be a simple house
painter than an artist-painter of historical moments but without patrons
(buyers). I experienced it myself and regret that I found it out too
late."
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