Artist Ivan Vladimirov (1869-1947) was the son of English watercolorist Elizabeth Vakgorn and a Russian priest. From a young age, he exhibited a restless character. At 12, Ivan ran away from home and went to England in search of an uncle, with whom he lived for almost six months before returning to Russia. He dreamed of military service, but due to poor health, he was not accepted into the army. However, he managed to get to the front as a war correspondent.

It was there that Vladimirov revealed his artistic talent, creating a series of works for the magazine "Niva" dedicated to the Russo-Japanese, Balkan, and First World Wars, including pieces such as "Gun in Danger," "Artillery Battle," and "Interrogation of a Prisoner." Upon returning, he decided to become a professional artist, but his works were often rejected as "outdated realism." In response, Ivan created several paintings under the pseudonym of Finnish artist Karl Flint and sent them to the "World of Art" exhibition. Benois highly praised these works, but later Vladimirov revealed his authorship through a letter in the newspaper. Ilya Repin appreciated his joke, noting that it struck a blow against the enemies of realism.

In 1917, during the revolution, Vladimirov made numerous sketches that later became the basis for his paintings reflecting the realities of those days and the true face of the Bolsheviks. After the October Revolution, he left "Niva" and worked in the Petrograd police, creating portraits of wanted criminals. Surprisingly, he was not repressed in the 1930s. He survived the Siege of Leningrad, drawing posters and keeping a diary. His works were even exhibited during the Soviet era at the Tretyakov Gallery.

Vladimirov painted watercolors on revolutionary themes, accurately reflecting the life of that time. In his works, one can see scenes of burning imperial eagles, hungover faces of food procurement fighters, looting, and searches for food. He spent his last years in Leningrad, continuing to paint on everyday themes. In 1946, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR and received the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. Ivan Vladimirov passed away at the age of 77.