Alexander Terentyevich Matveev was a renowned Russian and Soviet sculptor and art historian, whose work had a significant impact on contemporary plastic art. He actively participated in the creation and activities of many creative associations in the early 20th century. Matveev held the position of professor at the Stieglitz Academy and the Academy of Arts, where he also served as director from 1932 to 1934. He was awarded the titles of "Doctor of Art History" and "Honored Artist of the RSFSR."

Alexander Terentyevich was born in August 1878 in Saratov to a family of a trading clerk. In 1896 and 1899, he studied at the Bogolyubov Drawing School under V. V. Konovalov and T. P. Salvin-Barakki, while also attending Konovalov's studio at the Saratov Society of Fine Arts. In 1899, he enrolled as a free listener at the Moscow School of Painting, where he studied under S. M. Volnukhin and P. P. Trubetskoy. In 1900 and 1901, Matveev received a small silver medal and the S. M. Tretyakov Prize for his sculptural studies. At the end of 1902, he left the school without completing the course or receiving the title of artist.

In 1901 and 1905, Matveev worked in the ceramic workshop of S. I. Mamontov "Abramtsevo" in Moscow. Then, thanks to a scholarship from the E. D. Polenova Foundation, he went to study in Paris. Upon returning, he worked in the artistic-ceramic workshops of P. K. Vaulin and O. O. Geldwein in Kikerin near St. Petersburg until 1912, after which he went abroad again, visiting Italy, including Florence, Rome, and Naples.

After the October Revolution of 1917, Matveev continued his work, becoming a member of the Collegium for Arts and Artistic Industry and a member of the committee of the Union of Artists. In 1924, he became one of the founders of the "Four Arts" association, and from 1926, he was a member of the Society of Russian Sculptors. His solo exhibitions were held in Moscow and Leningrad in 1958 and 1959.

Alexander Matveev passed away in October 1960 in Moscow. He was an outstanding artist of the first half of the 20th century and a major representative of symbolism in sculpture. Matveev developed his plastic style, characterized by smooth lines, fragility, and decorative forms. He sought harmony and synthesis with nature, believing that art should express an eternal truth that transcends earthly concerns.

Matveev's works are held in numerous museum and private collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, the State Museum of Ceramics and the "Kuskovo Estate of the 18th Century," the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, the Kyiv Museum of Russian Art, and others.