In 1912, Alexander Gerasimov was a frequent guest at the dacha of the famous Russian writer and correspondent Vladimir Gilyarovsky in Gilyayevka. There he met Viktor Mikhailovich Lobanov, an art critic and the husband of the writer’s daughter Nadezhda Gilyarovskaya.
The way they talked about art and literature, joked, and drank tea for days on end created a special and friendly environment and fueled creativity. This unique Gilyayevka atmosphere inspired the artist to portray the owner of the house Vladimir Gilyarovsky, his daughter Nadezhda and her husband Viktor Lobanov. The artist depicted Viktor Mikhailovich in the family’s favorite spot — the terrace. The sitter’s keen eyes are directed at the viewer. Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov depicted the man on his vacation, judging by the way his figure is positioned. A book — Lobanov’s constant companion — lies in his lap.
At that time, Alexander Gerasimov was a student at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Back then, the young artist was looking for new ways to render the colors of the world and life, as well as for new artistic images and ways to embody them in painting. He spent a lot of time in Konstantin Alekseyevich Korovin’s studio and absorbed all the best things that Konstantin Korovin brought to the world of painting and taught his students. In this particular work, Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov experimented with the painting technique: the picture was created using short broken brushstrokes, inspired by Korovin’s manner. The varied color palette enhances the impression of the summer verdure and the brightly reflected sunbeams. The artist yet again depicts a still life on a table: the never-changing flowers and berries, as well as the invariable impression of this wonderful summertime, which the artist shares with the viewers.
After meeting Alexander Gerasimov, Viktor Mikhailovich, an art critic by occupation, stayed in touch with him for many years to come. He always kept abreast of any developments in the artist’s career. The meetings and conversations the two interesting people had about art and life served as the basis for the monograph that Vladimir Lobanov wrote about Alexander Gerasimov. The book was published in 1943.
The way they talked about art and literature, joked, and drank tea for days on end created a special and friendly environment and fueled creativity. This unique Gilyayevka atmosphere inspired the artist to portray the owner of the house Vladimir Gilyarovsky, his daughter Nadezhda and her husband Viktor Lobanov. The artist depicted Viktor Mikhailovich in the family’s favorite spot — the terrace. The sitter’s keen eyes are directed at the viewer. Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov depicted the man on his vacation, judging by the way his figure is positioned. A book — Lobanov’s constant companion — lies in his lap.
At that time, Alexander Gerasimov was a student at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Back then, the young artist was looking for new ways to render the colors of the world and life, as well as for new artistic images and ways to embody them in painting. He spent a lot of time in Konstantin Alekseyevich Korovin’s studio and absorbed all the best things that Konstantin Korovin brought to the world of painting and taught his students. In this particular work, Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov experimented with the painting technique: the picture was created using short broken brushstrokes, inspired by Korovin’s manner. The varied color palette enhances the impression of the summer verdure and the brightly reflected sunbeams. The artist yet again depicts a still life on a table: the never-changing flowers and berries, as well as the invariable impression of this wonderful summertime, which the artist shares with the viewers.
After meeting Alexander Gerasimov, Viktor Mikhailovich, an art critic by occupation, stayed in touch with him for many years to come. He always kept abreast of any developments in the artist’s career. The meetings and conversations the two interesting people had about art and life served as the basis for the monograph that Vladimir Lobanov wrote about Alexander Gerasimov. The book was published in 1943.
