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2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-17 17:22
Firs Zhuravlev is one of the greatest masters of genre painting of the second half of the 19th century in Russia. His work is characterized by narration, deliberate exaggeration and even caricature. But the canvas, which will be discussed below, is far from caricature. The painting "Before the crown" reflects a tragic plot. Why is the heroine crying? And what title did the artist receive for this work?
About the artist
The painter and graphic artist Firs Zhuravlev was born into a middle-class family. Born and raised in Saratov, he also worked as a tailor. At the age of 19, the young man decided to come to St. Petersburg to study painting with academician L. S. Igorev, and then studied at the Academy of Painting, first as an auditor, and then as a student with Markov, Bruni and Neff.
Zhuravlev was an excellent student. For his successes, the artist received small and large silver medals, as well as a gold medal (for the painting "The Lender Describes the Widow's Property"). A year after writing this canvas (1862) Zhuravlev took part in the "uprising of the future Itinerants" (refusal of some students to participate in the competition for the gold medal of the institution). At the same time, Firs Zhuravlev continued to take part in academic exhibitions (until 1893).
The main themes of Zhuravlev's paintings are the restless life of creative people, unequal marriage, the unhappy fate of widows, the theme of orphans, and merchant life. In his work, real life has always been depicted with its troubles and joys, hopes and disappointments. By the way, Zhuravlev was one of the first painters in Russian painting who showed a naked female body in his work.
Before the crown
This is a genre scene by Zhuravlev. Apparently, the girl is preparing for the wedding. Before the eyes of the viewer, another love drama unfolds - a young bride sits on her knees and sobs.
Heroes
In the foreground, the main character of the plot, the bride, sits right on the floor. She riveted all the attention of the viewer. And not only because of her luxurious outfit, but because she cries, covering her face with her hands. The heroine is dressed in a snow-white dress with amazing delicate flowers and a long train. By the way, the wardrobe emphasizes the magical whiteness of the bride's skin. The artist surrounded her with magical light! The bride's head is adorned with a hoop made of the same flowers, on top of which there is a very thin veil. The heroine is wearing gold bracelets.
To the right of the heroine is her father. Apparently, he was forced to marry his daughter to a wealthy, but unloved man. This decision was hard for him, but he had to. What is the reason? Perhaps the family has financial and material problems. And with the help of a marriage of convenience, the bride's parents plan to rectify their sad situation. By the way, marriages of convenience were common in the 19th century. The old man is not cheerful, but he is not eager to pity his daughter. He understands perfectly well that his daughter-bride will cry, get burned, but still marry the groom.
Behind the slightly opened door, the viewer sees the mother of the bride, who does not risk showing herself to the unhappy daughter, so as not to escalate the situation. Her heart is restless, because she gives her daughter in marriage against her will. But the fact that she, seeing the bride's bitter tears, does not comfort her, suggests that she hopes for a happy future for her daughter.
Interior
It is important to pay attention to the interior of the room. This is a cozy, solid house in which people of average income live. The parental home is presented. From the numerous icons behind the backs of the main characters, it can be concluded that the bride's parents are deeply religious people. The floor is decorated with an oriental carpet with red and blue ornaments. The old man's right hand lies on a luxurious wooden table, on which a lamp is decorated with small details. Judging by the light in the window and the visible sky, this is morning time (bride's gathering). A crimson fringed curtain hangs over the window. There is another iconostasis above the door to the room ("The Kazan Mother of God", "The Savior" and "Nicholas the Wonderworker").
In 1868, Zhuravlev received the title of artist of the 1st degree for the paintings "The Arrival of the Cabby Home" and "Returning from the Ball". But it was the writing of the magnificent painting "Before the crown" that helped Zhuravlev to obtain the title of academician.
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