Ilya Glazunov: A Titan of Russian Religious Painting Ilya Sergeyevich Glazunov (Russian: Илья́ Серге́евич Глазуно́в; 10 June 1930 – 9 July 2017) was a Soviet and Russian artist from Saint Petersburg, born into an artistic family—his father was a renowned sculptor—and destined for a remarkable career dedicated to capturing the grandeur of Russian history and spirituality. His formative years were steeped in the intellectual ferment of Leningrad during Stalin’s reign, fostering a deep appreciation for tradition alongside a burgeoning modernist sensibility. Studying at the Repine Academy of Fin…