After the 2nd Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in Brussels (1903), together with other Russian revolutionaries, he was expelled from Belgium, moved to London, and from there to Paris. He earned his living selling his paintings. In 1906 he returned to Russia. By that time, he became disillusioned with revolutionary ideas, withdrew from political activities and devoted himself to art. The main goal of life was the creation for Russia of a gallery of copies of frescoes and paintings by masters of the Italian Renaissance. The idea was supported by the director of the Moscow Museum of Fine Arts named after Alexander III, Ivan Vladimirovich Tsvetaev (the father of Marina Tsvetaeva). The financial support was provided by Vladimir Vasilievich Yakunchikov (the son of ) and the Society of Friends of the Idea of Lokhoff. The artist was given an advance payment for writing 70 copies and a manual for living abroad. In 1907, he left for Italy with his family and settled in Florence.