Ivan Yakovlevich Bogolyubov (1934–2014) was born in Lysva, Perm Region. Between 1957 and 1961, he studied at the Ural School of Applied Arts. His mentors included the sculptor Yelena Nikolayevna Plugina, the artist and translator Viktor Fyodorovich Grigoryev, the artist Gennady Viktorovich Patko, and the sculptor Vasily Mikhailovich Ushakov.
After graduation, Ivan Bogolyubov stayed in his alma mater as a teacher. In 1967, he was accepted into the Union of Russian Artists. Between 1968 and 1974, he studied at the School of Art and Graphics of the Nizhny Tagil State Pedagogical Institute.
The sculptor lived in Nizhny Tagil and worked at local art workshops. He designed several city monuments and participated in exhibitions at different levels.
The statue “The Artist Khudoyarov” was completed in 1987. This work embodies the collective image of a master of lacquer painting on metal. The Khudoyarovs were the most famous representatives of this craft in Nizhny Tagil. They were Priestless Old Believers from the Pomorian Church. They mastered the skills of icon painting and used some of its techniques in painting trays and jewelry boxes. The dynasty included four generations of serf artists.
The dynasty was founded by Andrey Stepanovich Khudoyarov (1722–1804). He was known as the inventor of the Khudoyarov lacquer, also known as “crystal” or “Tagil” lacquer. It was distinguished by durability and transparency. Andrey Khudoyarov passed down all the secrets of his craft to his sons Fyodor and Vavila. The artist perfected the art of painting with oil, silver, and gold on copper, iron, and wood.
Representatives of the third generation of the Khudoyarov dynasty contributed greatly to the artistic legacy of Nizhny Tagil. Isaak Fyodorovich Khudoyarov was known as an enthusiastic gardener. He depicted flowers from his garden on his products, painting them from life. Pavel Fyodorovich Khudoyarov was a realist painter. Their brother Stepan Fyodorovich Khudoyarov studied art in Italy under the guidance of Karl Pavlovich Bryullov. Representatives of the fourth generation, Vasily Pavlovich Khudoyarov and Vonifaty Isaakovich Khudoyarov, studied at the Academy of Arts and became academic painters.
The statue presents a somewhat romanticized image of a master of lacquer painting. Old Believers were known for their calmness and tranquility. In this statue by Ivan Bogolyubov, Khudoyarov appears fully immersed in a creative process.
