Viktor Hartmann was a Russian painter and architect born in 1834. He is best known for his imaginative and colorful illustrations, which often depicted scenes from Russian folklore and fairy tales. Hartmann's work was influential in the development of the Russian art scene during the 19th century. Tragically, Hartmann died at a young age in 1873, but his legacy continued through the composer Modest Mussorgsky. Mussorgsky created the famous piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition as a tribute to Hartmann, inspired by his artwork. This suite remains a significant piece in classical music today.