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Video: The main social problems of the XIX century in one meal: Painting "Zemstvo is having dinner" by Myasoedov
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Grigory Myasoyedov is one of the brightest representatives of realism in the second half of the 19th century. The artist took part in the creation of the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions. Painter, graphic artist, art theorist. He managed to create a magnificent work "Zemstvo is having lunch", which reflects the life of peasants and nobles in Russia during the period of global reforms, as well as acute social problems.
About the artist
Grigory Myasoedov came from a wealthy aristocratic family, was born in 1834. He studied at the gymnasium in the city of Orel, where he received his initial artistic training under the guidance of I. A. Volkova. Without completing the course, Myasoedov moved to St. Petersburg and entered the IAH. During the training period, he received all the current academic awards: in 1859 he was awarded two small silver medals, in 1860 - a large silver medal for the painting "The Village Medicine Man", in 1861 - a small gold medal for the painting "Congratulations. House of a young landowner, 1862 - a large gold medal for the program “Escape of Grigory Otrepiev from a tavern on the Lithuanian border”.
At the academy, Myasoedov was awarded a scholarship to pay for a trip abroad, thanks to which the young artist visited France, Spain and Italy. Returning to Russia, Myasoedov was awarded the title of academician. The artist Myasoedov is considered a master of national painting. His work is rich in peasant themes, plots with the bourgeoisie, genre scenes. Grigory Myasoedov also created landscapes, favorite of which are the Crimean expanses. Myasoedov is known for his religious works and portraits.
At an advanced age, Myasoedov acquired an estate near Poltava. There he founded a painting school. In addition, the artist's brushes belong to the scenery for the Poltava theater. Interestingly, in addition to painting, Myasoyedov was very fond of gardening, he even managed to publish his own brochure. The artist Myasoedov died on his estate in 1911.
Zemstvo is having lunch
Myasoedov's iconic painting "Zemstvo is having lunch" was painted by the artist in 1872. The canvas was presented at the 2nd exhibition of "Itinerants" and was favorably received by the public. Critics praised the painting as "one of the best and most meaningful works on a contemporary theme." Thus, the painting became not only Myasoyedov's calling card, but also one of the best examples of the realism of the Itinerants. A year after writing "Zemstvo" Myasoedov sold the canvas to the patron and collector Tretyakov, who asked him to slightly modify the picture.
So. The picture is based on a reformatory Russia. As a rule, local governments have just begun to reform into zemstvos. It is a quiet provincial town. The plot of the picture is extremely simple. The artist decided to reflect the disparity of estates and social differences through the meal.
In the foreground, the artist depicted the building of the district council, the upper part of the porch has a hint - the inscription "County zemstvo government". Inside the building of the provincial council, a truly aristocratic scene unfolds: there you can see a waiter rearranging dishes and bottles of wine. Apparently, the deputies finished their lunch.
Heroes
The viewer does not see the whole house, only a light wall and two windows with a door are visible. The main characters are peasants sitting on the porch of the building. They are waiting for the "hosts", who at that very time have completed their aristocratic meal (probably with champagne and pheasants). While waiting for the deputies, the peasants also decided to dine. Their meal is meager and modest, in comparison with the dinner of the "powerful of this world." The food is simple: one has dry bread, the other has bread with salt and a bunch of green onions. The artist gave the main characters of the picture - peasants - characteristic features (somewhere slyness, somewhere nobility, and somewhere offense). On the left, on an old bench, sits a bearded man who has already dined. To his left is a sleeping man and a peasant continuing his meager meal.
As mentioned above, Grigory Myasoyedov is known primarily as an artist of genre paintings about the life of peasants. The work in question perfectly reflected acute social problems through the meal. The artist's main message is to convey a vivid contrast between poverty and wealth. The peasants think about the same thing and realize with bitterness that they will not achieve justice at the building of the "Administration". The artist does not draw conclusions about objectivity or injustice. Myasoedov allowed his viewers to evaluate this real scene for themselves.
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