Vasily Grigorievich Malyshev was a prominent artist who worked in genre art. He was born in 1843. He graduated from the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. From 1872 to 1875, he studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts. In 1875, Malyshev was awarded the title of Class Artist of the Third Degree.
Apparently, the artist could not fully develop his undisputed skills, and his name eventually disappeared from the memory of experts and art lovers. The work of Vasily Malyshev, as well as many genre painters of the second and third tiers, is consonant with scenes from ordinary people’s life, popular in the second half of the 19th century. He does not focus on registering harsh social realities or making an accusation.
The plot of the painting “Kitchen” by Vasily Malyshev is quite lyrical. It draws attention to the everyday life and experiences of a commonplace person. In the painting, the artist depicts a complete story. It is midday. The clock ticks steadily away. In the small kitchen there is a Russian stove and a samovar with cups on the table. Here is the inhabitant of this abode herself: she is smartly dressed, wears a scarf of the Kupavna factory on her head, a sundress made of red fabric and with thick folds, and a bright calico apron with a frill on top of the sundress; strips of multicolored calico are sewn on the hem of the apron. Having completed her household chores, in a rare hour of leisure, the woman meets a guest. A chain proudly shines on his vest. The young man feels awkward, his face is red: he tries to be obliging, wants to say something sensible, but remains silent. A beautifully painted kitchen still life attracts one’s attention, unassumingly hinting that they have just finished drinking tea. Judging by the pose of the guest, he seems to wonder: should he stay or say goodbye.
In the 19th century, genre scenes in Russian art were extraordinary popular. The Wanderers (the artists who formed a cooperative in protest of academic restrictions), among whom was Vasily Malyshev, abandoned romantic principles and painted life as it really was. Such scenes depicted work days and moments of rest, fun, festive holidays and tragic moments.
Apparently, the artist could not fully develop his undisputed skills, and his name eventually disappeared from the memory of experts and art lovers. The work of Vasily Malyshev, as well as many genre painters of the second and third tiers, is consonant with scenes from ordinary people’s life, popular in the second half of the 19th century. He does not focus on registering harsh social realities or making an accusation.
The plot of the painting “Kitchen” by Vasily Malyshev is quite lyrical. It draws attention to the everyday life and experiences of a commonplace person. In the painting, the artist depicts a complete story. It is midday. The clock ticks steadily away. In the small kitchen there is a Russian stove and a samovar with cups on the table. Here is the inhabitant of this abode herself: she is smartly dressed, wears a scarf of the Kupavna factory on her head, a sundress made of red fabric and with thick folds, and a bright calico apron with a frill on top of the sundress; strips of multicolored calico are sewn on the hem of the apron. Having completed her household chores, in a rare hour of leisure, the woman meets a guest. A chain proudly shines on his vest. The young man feels awkward, his face is red: he tries to be obliging, wants to say something sensible, but remains silent. A beautifully painted kitchen still life attracts one’s attention, unassumingly hinting that they have just finished drinking tea. Judging by the pose of the guest, he seems to wonder: should he stay or say goodbye.
In the 19th century, genre scenes in Russian art were extraordinary popular. The Wanderers (the artists who formed a cooperative in protest of academic restrictions), among whom was Vasily Malyshev, abandoned romantic principles and painted life as it really was. Such scenes depicted work days and moments of rest, fun, festive holidays and tragic moments.
