The best Russian horse painter.

Pavel Kovalevsky was born on August 4, 1843 in the city of Kazan in the family of professor of Kazan University Osip Kovalevsky.

In 1862 he entered the Imperial Academy of Arts. For successful studies he was awarded four silver medals, and in 1869 - a small gold medal for the picture: «Pursuit of Turkish foragers by Cossacks near Kars». In 1871, for the painting «The first day of the Battle of Leipzig, in 1813» Kovalevsky was awarded a large gold medal.

In 1873 on a scholarship from the Russian state Pavel Osipovich Kovalevsky went on a three-year trip abroad in Germany, Austria, Italy, worked mainly in Rome. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 he accompanied the Russian army and collected a rich stock of materials for subsequent battle works. In 1881 he was elevated to the rank of professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts.

Since 1897, Pavel Osipovich Kovalevsky was the head of the battle workshop of the Academy of Arts. He was considered one of the best horse painters. Pavel Osipovich Kovalevsky died on 7 March 1903.