The canvases of Vladimir Chursin stood out among those of his contemporaries due to the fantastic interweaving of characters and plots, the artist’s unique manner of painting, and the rare color combinations. The boldness that was characteristic of Chursin allowed him to take images from classical art and combine them so that their stories collided and took on new meanings and colors. One picture by Vladimir Chursin can become a home to characters from literature, history, and even his imagination all at the same time. The artist blended reality and fantasy with ease, using storylines that, for one reason or another, impressed him the most.
However, Chursin’s painting “Two Artists. Rubens and Velázquez” which depicts iconic 17th-century painters Peter Paul Rubens and Diego Velázquez has a historical justification.
Rubens was a famous Flemish artist that created true masterpieces (one of them is housed by the Irbit State Museum of Fine Arts). He also was a diplomat, the founder of the Baroque painting style and a huge workshop that brought together a whole group of talented artists. Rubens worked in different genres. He painted religious and mythological scenes, allegorical and historical paintings, portraits, and landscapes. His works are filled with bright cheerfulness, and his images are solemn yet festive. Rubens admired people and their ability to have deep and vivid feelings and experiences. The artist had a great influence on the art of subsequent eras.
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was the court painter to the king of Spain and one of the most prominent and versatile artists in the country’s history. He had his own creative style. His paintings were performed in a muted color scheme and mostly portrayed realistic scenes, especially his early works, where he depicted the life of ordinary people.
The two painters met in 1628 when Rubens arrived in Madrid on a diplomatic mission. His stay in the Spanish capital lasted more than six months. During this time, the artists became good friends, Velázquez even let Rubens use his workshop. The artists spent a lot of time together.
Chursin’s fantasy painting was inspired by this friendship.
The color scheme that was used to portray the painters in the work “Two Artists. Rubens and Velázquez” is similar to that in the paintings created by the two. The side depicting Rubens is distinguished by its brightness, it seems almost illuminated. The side with Velázquez is more restrained in color, which corresponds to the more solemn nature of his works.
However, Chursin’s painting “Two Artists. Rubens and Velázquez” which depicts iconic 17th-century painters Peter Paul Rubens and Diego Velázquez has a historical justification.
Rubens was a famous Flemish artist that created true masterpieces (one of them is housed by the Irbit State Museum of Fine Arts). He also was a diplomat, the founder of the Baroque painting style and a huge workshop that brought together a whole group of talented artists. Rubens worked in different genres. He painted religious and mythological scenes, allegorical and historical paintings, portraits, and landscapes. His works are filled with bright cheerfulness, and his images are solemn yet festive. Rubens admired people and their ability to have deep and vivid feelings and experiences. The artist had a great influence on the art of subsequent eras.
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was the court painter to the king of Spain and one of the most prominent and versatile artists in the country’s history. He had his own creative style. His paintings were performed in a muted color scheme and mostly portrayed realistic scenes, especially his early works, where he depicted the life of ordinary people.
The two painters met in 1628 when Rubens arrived in Madrid on a diplomatic mission. His stay in the Spanish capital lasted more than six months. During this time, the artists became good friends, Velázquez even let Rubens use his workshop. The artists spent a lot of time together.
Chursin’s fantasy painting was inspired by this friendship.
The color scheme that was used to portray the painters in the work “Two Artists. Rubens and Velázquez” is similar to that in the paintings created by the two. The side depicting Rubens is distinguished by its brightness, it seems almost illuminated. The side with Velázquez is more restrained in color, which corresponds to the more solemn nature of his works.
