So Shevtchenko began to study under a Vilna artist, and a year and a half later, by the advice of his teacher, who recognized his talent, the master sent the lad to a portrait-painter in Warsaw.

In 1831 he was sent to his master in St.Petersburg on foot by the regular police "stages" (_etape_), arriving almost shoeless, and acted as lackey in the establishment.

At last his master granted his urgent request, and apprenticed him for four years to an instructor in painting.

Here Shevtchenko made acquaintance with the artist I.M.Soshenko, and through him with an author of some little note, who took pity on the young fellow's sorry plight, and began to invite him to his house, give him books to read, furnish him with various useful suggestions, and with money.

Thus did Shevtchenko come to know the Russian and western classical authors, history, and so forth.