The scandalous "Unequal Marriage" - a picture that is not recommended to look at before the wedding for grooms in years
The scandalous "Unequal Marriage" - a picture that is not recommended to look at before the wedding for grooms in years

Video: The scandalous "Unequal Marriage" - a picture that is not recommended to look at before the wedding for grooms in years

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Vasily Pukirev. An Unequal Marriage, 1862. Fragment
Vasily Pukirev. An Unequal Marriage, 1862. Fragment

Around paintings by Vasily Pukirev "Unequal marriage" there were many rumors and legends at the time of its creation, in 1862. The plot was so well known and so clear to the public that it did not cause surprise. Questions were raised by another circumstance - the artist portrayed himself in the image of the best man. This made them say that the plot was autobiographical and arose out of Pukirev's personal drama. And later there were rumors about the magical effect of the painting on the suitors in their years: they lose consciousness when they see it, or even completely abandon their intentions to marry …

Vasily Pukirev. An Unequal Marriage, 1862. Fragment
Vasily Pukirev. An Unequal Marriage, 1862. Fragment

The image of the best man in the picture turned out to be so vivid that as a result, the focus was not on the bride and groom, but on the love triangle. Since everyone easily recognized the artist himself in the appearance of the best man, there were rumors that he had depicted his own drama in the picture - allegedly his beloved girl was forcibly married to a rich dignitary in years.

Vasily Pukirev. An Unequal Marriage, 1862. Fragment
Vasily Pukirev. An Unequal Marriage, 1862. Fragment

However, in fact, the reason for the creation of the picture was not Pukirev's own grief, but a story from the life of his friend, S. Varentsov. He was going to marry a girl whom her parents passed off as a wealthy manufacturer. Varentsov himself was best man at her wedding. Initially, Pukirev portrayed him in this role, but later changed his appearance at the request of a friend.

Edmund Blair-Leighton. Until Death Do Us Part, 1878
Edmund Blair-Leighton. Until Death Do Us Part, 1878

Pukirev made the groom much older and more unpleasant than he was in life. But unequal marriages were so widespread in Russian society in the 19th century that such a substitution did not seem an exaggeration - young girls were indeed often married against their will to wealthy elderly officials and merchants. This is evidenced by the paintings of other artists dedicated to the same theme.

Vasily Pukirev. Unequal marriage, 1862
Vasily Pukirev. Unequal marriage, 1862

The most interesting thing began after the painting "Unequal Marriage" was presented at the Moscow Academic Art Exhibition: they say that the elderly generals, seeing this work, one after another began to refuse to marry young brides. Moreover, some of them even complained of discomfort - headaches, pains in the heart, etc. The audience nicknamed the picture "Koschey with the bride."

Pavel Fedotov. The Major's Courtship, 1848
Pavel Fedotov. The Major's Courtship, 1848

The historian N. Kostomarov confessed to his friends that, having seen the picture of Pukirev, he abandoned his intentions to marry a young girl. Can this be explained by the magical influence of the painting? Unlikely. Most likely, its ironic and accusatory meaning was so obvious that the widespread phenomenon appeared in all its ugliness. The gray-haired suitors recognized themselves in the repulsive image of the old general - and refused to repeat his mistake.

Akim Karneev. Unequal marriage, 1866
Akim Karneev. Unequal marriage, 1866
Firs Zhuravlev. Before the crown, 1874
Firs Zhuravlev. Before the crown, 1874

In modern society, married couples with a large age difference are already treated calmly. Love for all ages: 11 unequal but happy celebrity marriages

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