Child

myminifactory

Anna Golubkina (1864-1927), hailed as Russia's first notable female sculptor, left an indelible mark on her craft. For three years, from 1897 to 1900, she served under the tutelage of Auguste Rodin, absorbing his expertise and refining her skills. Her empathetic nature is evident in works like "The Child," which showcases her profound understanding of vulnerability and need, having personally experienced poverty during a two-year sojourn in Paris where she struggled to make ends meet. Golubkina was known for her philanthropy, donating the fee for a Karl Marx bust to aid homeless workers, opening her home as a temporary hospital, and organizing an exhibition of 150 sculptures to support World War I victims. Golubkina played a pivotal role in liberating Russian sculpture from its dependence on painting. She became the first Russian sculptor to receive the esteemed Paris Salon prize, a testament to her artistic prowess and a groundbreaking achievement for female artists. Five years after her passing, Golubkina's studio in Zaraysk was transformed into a museum, becoming Russia's first of its kind and Europe's sole museum dedicated to a female sculptor.