Aivazovsky is not only the sea, and Levitan is not only landscapes: We destroy stereotypes about the work of classical artists

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Often the names of Russian artists are associated with genres that have been their creative roles throughout their career. It was in these genres that they became the unsurpassed aces of artistic excellence. So, for most viewers - if Levitan, then, of course, - landscape lyrics of central Russia, if Aivazovsky - the fascinating sea element of the Black Sea, and Kustodiev and is not at all conceivable outside of a bright festive popular print. But today we will destroy the prevailing stereotypes and pleasantly surprise you.

Isaac Ilyich Levitan - master of still life genre

It turns out that the great Russian landscape painter Isaac Ilyich Levitan (1861-1900) left in his creative heritage not only his famous landscapes, but also amazing floral still lifes that amaze the viewer with their sophistication, simplicity and naturalness. Despite their scarcity (their number is about three dozen), they are incredibly valuable - as works of pictorial art created in the era of Russian itinerant movement.

Curiously, in those years, well-known venerable artists were practically not fond of still life painting. Still life, as a separate genre, was practically the lot of salon and often market painting. That is why Levitan's still lifes against the background of a very weak development of this genre in Russia in the second half of the 19th century are incredibly interesting and have significant artistic value.

On the artist's canvases, we see modest bouquets of wildflowers, as well as clusters of lilacs, painted with amazing tenderness and warmth. One gets the impression that in the still lifes, simple in plot and composition, the very element of the flowering of life on earth is recreated.

Dandelions, lilacs, cornflowers, immortelle, fern and azalea … After the forest plein-airs, the artist's studio turned into "either a greenhouse, or a flower shop." Levitan loved flower still lifes and taught his students to see both color and inflorescences: - said the master.

His first still life - "Dandelions", which became the most famous, Levitan wrote in 1889. At that time he lived in Plyos, a small quiet place on the Volga, with his student Sofia Kuvshinnikova. Returning from walks or plein airs, they brought bouquets of different flowers and in a few hours created charming floral still lifes.

And once the artist carefully brought an armful of almost faded dandelions to the studio. The bright yellow petals of these sunny flowers have almost crumbled, there is only a light fluffy halo around the heads, just about ready to fly off them. Literally fascinated by these fragile flowers, or rather by what was left of them, Levitan was inspired and created a stunning picturesque bouquet, placing it in an ordinary clay jug, the bulkiness of which once again emphasized the sophistication and fragility of the miracle created by nature.

And on the canvas "Nenufara" Levitan literally "portrayed" water lilies floating on the surface of the water, whose thin legs go into the dark transparent depths. Truly amazing work of the master.

Levitan spoke with nature in the same language, and she answered him with her quivering and tender love. The artist's contemporaries recalled: when Isaac Ilyich passed away, exhausted from a fatal illness, nature seemed to arrange a farewell to the painter who glorified her. That year in the gardens for the second time - only in the summer, lilacs blossomed. And, looking at this miracle from the window of his room, Levitan admitted:

For the sake of curiosity, you can also familiarize yourself with the little-known landscapes of the great Russian landscape painter Isaac Levitan in our review.

Boris Mikhailovich Kustodiev - portrait painter

The whole world knows Kustodiev as a singer of cheerful folk festivals, holiday fairs, scenes from the provincial life of the Russian people, in a word - everything that has become the signature style of this artist, his author's theme in painting. But, Boris Mikhailovich is very little known to a wide circle of viewers, as Kustodiev-portraitist.

And this, despite the fact that he painted portraits all his life. On them - and close people, and scientists, and writers and artists. In fact, the entire "Silver Age" of Russian culture in faces is reflected in the artist's portrait painting.

Curiously, most of the portraits by the great Kustodiev are made in the classical manner, especially in the early period of his work. They do not correspond at all to the familiar manner of the painter. Later, years later, the master began to use his signature bright color, characteristic of Russian popular prints, in portrait painting.

Nevertheless, even these portraits, which are distinguished by originality, are written easily and freely, and the characters portrayed on the artist's canvases are very naturalistic and recognizable. (Recall at least the most famous portrait of Fyodor Chaliapin against the background of a snow-covered city).

- say the master.

In each of his works, Kustodiev vividly and skillfully conveyed the characteristic features of the people he depicted. It is also worth mentioning that many of them were written from memory - due to the fact that the artist suffered from a serious physical illness and could not leave the house. And the studio room specially equipped for him did not allow inviting models for posing due to its small size.

If we recall history, then it should be noted that the period of creativity of Boris Mikhailovich in the last years of his life fell on a difficult time for Russia, when the artist, deprived of the opportunity to move, enduring terrible pain and suffering, was forced to starve and feel the need for even a little. But, in spite of everything, until his last breath, he remained a truly life-loving and bright painter of his time.

You can look at the delightful winter landscapes of Boris Kustodiev in the style of Russian popular prints in our review.

Aivazovsky - master of winter landscapes

For many of us, the name of the genius of the Russian marina is associated only with seascapes, to which Aivazovsky devoted his entire life. However, not many people know that he also painted amazingly magical winter landscapes. By the way, paintings on this subject in the artist's heritage are of great value, due to their small number.

Looking at a selection of these unique works, you understand that Aivazovsky is a true master of his craft. With the help of skillful selection of colors, he managed to convey the special beauty of winter. Using in his works all shades of white, gray, blue, pinkish and even black, the artist conveyed the special charm of nature and ringing silence. His canvases are incredibly alive. It seems like another moment, and we will feel the breath of the winter wind, hear the rustles of the forest and feel the coolness of the melting snowflake.

It is no exaggeration to say that every landscape of Ivan Konstantinovich, be it seascape or landscape, is a real discovery of the beauty of Russian nature and its bewitching elements.

Continuing the theme of the great Russian master Marina, read: How Aivazovsky became the first Russian artist in the Louvre.