Alisa Semenova, born in 1997 in Tchaikovsky, Perm region, Russia, has emerged as a significant figure in the contemporary art scene. Her journey into the world of art began in 2013, and by 2017, she had enrolled in the prestigious Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, where she honed her skills and developed her unique artistic voice. Graduating in 2023 with a diploma painting titled “Prayer,” Alisa’s work reflects a blend of traditional techniques and a loose impressionistic style, particularly evident in her captivating female portraits, which exude subtlety and charm.
Throughout her academic career, Alisa received high praise for her talent and dedication. She remarked on her educational experience, saying, “The education system at the academy is quite complicated: during the first three years, your teachers change, and you have different teachers in two disciplines: oil painting and drawing. Although the academy of arts adheres to traditions in general, every teacher is also an artist with his own vision and methods, and it affects your work and style. I think I just tried to do my best to get closer to masters, to improve my skills and knowledge. I can’t say that I was very focused on my style, but on the quality of my works in terms of the academy requirements. But, of course, when you work hard and try different ways, one day you discover what gives you the desired result. And I think it is gradually shaping your style.”
Since her graduation, Alisa has been in high demand, receiving multiple job offers from various countries. She has conducted over 30 drawing and painting master classes, attracting up to 70 participants at a time, demonstrating her commitment to sharing her knowledge and passion for art.
Alisa’s artistic journey has been marked by significant exhibitions at notable venues, including the St. Petersburg Union of Artists, the New Tretyakov Gallery, and the Erarta Museum of Modern Art. In 2023, she expanded her horizons by hosting master classes in Beijing and Hangzhou, China. In 2024, she took on the role of a teacher for preparatory courses in Nanjing. Her participation in international events continued with her involvement in a plein air in Mongolia and her recognition as a finalist in the esteemed Almenara Art Prize in Spain, where she was awarded in the portrait category.
Reflecting on her passion for portraiture, Alisa shared, “I was always keen on depicting people. It was always the most interesting and fascinating thing for me. I started drawing people, faces, hands from the very early age (perhaps 3 y.o. or earlier), and my first conscious copy was made after Tropinin’s ‘portrait of son Arseny’ at the age of 9. When I saw an interesting face, I just wanted to capture it somehow, I don’t know why. And now, when I come to the museum, I always pay more attention to the portrayals, and only then to the technique.”
Her works are not only celebrated in Russia but are also part of private collections across the globe, including Italy, the USA, Germany, Malaysia, Mongolia, and China. Alisa’s artistic contributions are preserved in the Academy of Arts collection, further solidifying her status as a noteworthy artist.
Looking ahead, Alisa is actively working on various projects, including a Royal Chronological Collection of Kings and Queens of Spain for the Infante Don Luis Palace of Boadilla del Monte, under the patronage of the Atelier FFD. She stated, “I try to convey the soul in every portrait I work on. It’s the same with portraits of kings. I try to give them characters. I want the viewers to feel something when they look at these portraits. One depicts bravery, another wisdom, and so on. Even among royal portraits from different centuries and countries that we can see in museums, there are not so many deep psychological images; they are often more cold.”
In May 2025, she plans to present her portraits from this project in Madrid. Additionally, she will host a master class for fine art teachers in Hangzhou, followed by several master classes in Europe, specifically in Spain and the Netherlands.
Alisa also shared her thoughts about her upcoming solo show: “I have been thinking a lot about my solo show lately. What it will look like, what the works will be like, and what will unite them. I am working mainly on portraits now, and I already have a few ideas for my future exhibition. I won’t reveal the theme, but I can say that it would be dedicated to female beauty manifesting the eternal beauty of simple things, of a silent moment and life itself.”
With a full calendar of events and collaborations lined up for 2025, Alisa Semenova is poised to make an even greater impact on the art world. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with audiences through her art make her a remarkable figure to watch in the coming years.