For a long time, not much was known about the life and art of Alexei Kharlamov (1840-1922). Scholar Marina Posokhina of the Saratov State Museum of Fine Arts managed to confirm the dates of his life and to discover the artist’s real surname — Grigoryev. The future painter came from a family of serfs which, in 1850, was given freedom. At the age of 14, he became an unenrolled student in the Academy of Arts, and from 1862 — a permanent student in the class of history painting.
In 1869, Alexei Kharlamov left on a pension trip: traditionally, after graduation, the Academy of Arts sent its students to study art abroad. Young painters visited galleries, museums, memorial places, and created new canvases. Some of them stayed abroad. This was the case for Alexei Kharlamov: the artist spent the most part of his life in France occasionally coming to Russia. In 1872, he started a training course with Léon Bonnat — representative of the French academic school and salon painter. After participation in the Paris World Exhibition of 1900, Alexei Kharlamov became the Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Kharlamov painted Girl with Flowers in France. It is a vivid example of salon painting what follows from the choice of the model — a pretty little girl, and the background and entourage. In the second half of the 19th century, pieces that were exhibited in Paris salons, were popular in the fashionable society and approved by state authorities were called salon art. In the course of time, this term started to be used to characterize canvases fancy in appearance and skillfully painted, but dictated by fashion and not carrying any deep meaning.
Alexei Kharlamov had perfect technical mastery. White and pink flowers at the background are painted with free pastose brush strokes, with thicker colors emphasizing the flower buds relief and lushness. At the same time, the movement of the brush is hardly visible on the girl’s face and figure, the painted surface is smooth like enamel.
Kharlamov specialized in gracious female and child portraits, painted simple scenes from children’s life. The influence of Léon Bonnat — who enjoyed great popularity in those days — was noted in Kharlamov’s art. Portraits by Alexei Kharlamov, same as by his teacher, were also a great success in France. Colorful and vibrant painting, artistry of old masters allowed Kharlamov to become one of the most famous salon artists of his time.
In 1869, Alexei Kharlamov left on a pension trip: traditionally, after graduation, the Academy of Arts sent its students to study art abroad. Young painters visited galleries, museums, memorial places, and created new canvases. Some of them stayed abroad. This was the case for Alexei Kharlamov: the artist spent the most part of his life in France occasionally coming to Russia. In 1872, he started a training course with Léon Bonnat — representative of the French academic school and salon painter. After participation in the Paris World Exhibition of 1900, Alexei Kharlamov became the Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Kharlamov painted Girl with Flowers in France. It is a vivid example of salon painting what follows from the choice of the model — a pretty little girl, and the background and entourage. In the second half of the 19th century, pieces that were exhibited in Paris salons, were popular in the fashionable society and approved by state authorities were called salon art. In the course of time, this term started to be used to characterize canvases fancy in appearance and skillfully painted, but dictated by fashion and not carrying any deep meaning.
Alexei Kharlamov had perfect technical mastery. White and pink flowers at the background are painted with free pastose brush strokes, with thicker colors emphasizing the flower buds relief and lushness. At the same time, the movement of the brush is hardly visible on the girl’s face and figure, the painted surface is smooth like enamel.
Kharlamov specialized in gracious female and child portraits, painted simple scenes from children’s life. The influence of Léon Bonnat — who enjoyed great popularity in those days — was noted in Kharlamov’s art. Portraits by Alexei Kharlamov, same as by his teacher, were also a great success in France. Colorful and vibrant painting, artistry of old masters allowed Kharlamov to become one of the most famous salon artists of his time.
