What rebellion did the tsar's favorite and the most expensive artist of his time and other interesting facts about Konstantin Makovsky take part in?

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

Konstantin Makovsky is a Russian painter born into a family of artists, one of the richest, most fashionable and successful painters of his time. Interestingly, Makovsky was a favorite of women and a favorite painter of Tsar Alexander II himself. His work sold out like hot cakes. Makovsky received all possible awards. But why were the critics indignant?

1. Makovsky's pedigree was full of artists

Konstantin Makovsky belonged to a well-known creative family. His father, Yegor Ivanovich Makovsky, is an amateur artist and one of the founders of the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Makovsky's two brothers and sister, Vladimir, Nikolai and Alexandra, also became artists. Therefore, Makovsky acquired his first professional skills in the family, and later took lessons from Tropinin and Bryullov, studied at the Moscow School of Painting, where he became the best student, having received all the awards of the institution. Later Makovsky entered the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.

2. Two brothers Makovsky throughout their lives were in the shadow of each other

During their lifetime, two brothers and two artists, Konstantin and Vladimir Makovsky, were often in the shadow of each other. Although, I must say that Constantine enjoyed somewhat more popularity and recognition. His favorite theme - urban scenes - is as relevant today as it was more than a hundred years ago.

3. Makovsky could become a composer

Makovsky's mother, Lyubov Kornilievna Mollengauer, was a composer and very much hoped that her son would follow in her footsteps. Young Konstantin at one time was not averse to becoming a composer, he even actively looked for teachers from whom he could professionally learn musical skills. Konstantin loved classical music with great and sincere love. At times, Makovsky even wanted to change the notes in the piece he had heard and make them more pleasant to his ear. However, talent and aspiration to become a painter became dominant.

4. Makovsky was awarded many awards and medals

Makovsky was a diligent student and a talented painter. At the age of 18, he received a small silver medal from the Academy of Arts. And in 1862, Makovsky was also awarded a gold medal for his painting "Agents of Dmitry the Pretender are killing the son of Boris Godunov."

5. Participated in the "uprising of the fourteen"

Makovsky's ideal studies and the status of the best student were somewhat overshadowed by the "revolt of fourteen." In 1863, the artist became one of the participants in the "uprising" (when a group of young artists (students of the Academy) refused to participate in the competition for a large gold medal). The reason is disagreement with the academic rules of the institution and the desire to write an exam paper on a free topic. Makovsky left the Imperial Academy of Arts, being a class artist of the second degree. An impressive education does honor to any artist and, of course, presupposes the development of willful tendencies in creativity. This explains the participation of Makovsky in the "riot". Later, Makovsky himself became one of the founders of the Itinerant Society.

6. Makovsky was looking for inspiration while traveling around the world

In the 1870s, Makovsky traveled extensively in Europe. He visited France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Bulgaria and Serbia. Later, the artist toured the Middle East and Egypt. The exoticism and oriental flavor inspired the artist. In his works, one can trace how the acutely social orientation gave way to exclusively pictorial tasks. Makovsky strove to convey in his works the luxury and splendor of furnishings and outfits. During this period, he painted mainly portraits and canvases on historical themes.

7. Makovsky was the most fashionable artist of his time

Makovsky began his creative direction with peasant genre painting (the first landmark work of the period was "Children Running from a Thunderstorm"). But later Makovsky preferred to create staged historical paintings demonstrating the life of the old Russian boyars, to create graceful compositions in which portrait painting was organically combined with still life and the interior. The portrait genre occupied a special place in the artist's work. Largely thanks to his portrait work, Makovsky achieved success, becoming a fashionable artist of his time. His paintings abound with beautifully painted furniture, clothing, expensive fabrics and furs. The artist tried to show the object or hero in the most advantageous and idealized form, adhering to similarities. The artist himself recalled this aspect of his work with slightly ironic words: “The best beauties posed for me with each other. I made a lot of money, lived with regal splendor and painted many paintings, decorative panels, portraits, sketches and watercolors. " True, over time, a huge number of typologically similar works, which were written very quickly and as if "a carbon copy", began to provoke the indignation of critics.

8. Makovsky was the most expensive artist of his time

It is known that in such a prolific time for talents (XIX century) Makovsky managed to become the most expensive artist of his time in Russia. He is also known for being an extraordinary favorite with women. A happy mature life is in many ways a tribute to a happy childhood. He was raised by a talented and successful artist father and one of the most beautiful women in St. Petersburg. Parents raised their children with special love and care. The house of the Makovsky family was a popular cultural center of St. Petersburg. His artist was sold out like hotcakes (and not only in Russia, but also abroad). Creativity was especially close to Alexander II, who did not hesitate to call Makovsky "his favorite painter." His work is often compared to the portraits of Renoir, and Makovsky himself called himself "Russian Rubens" and the predecessor of Russian impressionism.