IVANOV, VYACHESLAV IVANOVICH

born Feb. 28 [Feb. 16, old style], 1866, Moscow died July 16, 1949, Rome philosopher, classical scholar, and leading poet of the Russian Symbolist movement. After studying philosophy at Moscow University and Roman history in Berlin (188691), Ivanov resided abroad almost continuously from 1891 to 1905, primarily in Italy, continuing his research and composing poetry. Under the influence of Nietzsche, Novalis, Dostoyevsky, and Vladimir Solovyov, Ivanov evolved a highly personal religious philosophy based on a synthesis of Dionysus and Christ and strongly coloured by aesthetic mysticism. His first volume of lyric poetry, Kormchiye zvozdy (Pilot Stars), appeared in 1903, immediately establishing him as a key figure among the Russian Symbolists. Further volumesProzrachnost (1904; Translucency), Eros (1907), and Cor Ardens (1911), the latter his most important poetical achievementstrengthened his position as high priest of the movement. From 1905 to 1910 his Wednesdays in his St. Petersburg tower became an important gathering place of Russian literati. In 1912 he published another important collection of poems, Nezhnaya tayna (The Sweet Secret). After further sojourns in Europe, Ivanov returned to Moscow in 1913, remaining in Russia through World War I and the Revolution and taking employment in the theatrical section of the People's Commissariat of Education in 1918. In 1921 his Zimniye sonety (Winter Sonnets) was published by Ilya Ehrenburg in Berlin. In 1924 Ivanov left Russia for Rome, where he became a convert to the Roman Catholic Church in 1926. His sonnet sequence, Rimskiye sonety (1926; Roman Sonnets) is a poetic account of this religious experience. Ivanov's later poetic works include the lyrical-philosophical cycle Chelovek (1939; Man) and Svet vecherniy (1944; Evening Light). In addition to his lyrical works, Ivanov also wrote two poetic dramas, several collections of essays, and a critical study on Lermontov. His translations include works by Sappho, Aeschylus, and Dante.