Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov: The Knight of Beauty Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844 – 1927) stands as a cornerstone of Russian landscape painting and a prominent figure within the Peredvizhniki movement—a group of realist artists who championed artistic freedom and social responsibility. Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Polenov’s life was marked by intellectual curiosity and unwavering dedication to his craft, shaping him into an artis…