Anton Losenko

Anton Losenko (1737–1773) was a Russian neoclassical painter, born at Hlukhiv. Orphaned, he sang in the court choir at Saint Petersburg until his voice broke, then trained under Ivan Argunov and entered the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1759. Sent to Paris in 1760, he studied under Jean Restout the Younger.

In 1766–1769 he worked in Rome, studying Raphael and painting Cain and Abel. Back in Russia, his canvas Vladimir and Rogneda won him the title of academician; in 1772 he became professor and director of the Academy. He died in 1773.