The painting by Boris Merkulov features the world-famous writer Leo Tolstoy in his beloved Yasnaya Polyana on a warm summer day.
The greater part of the painting is taken up by trees desperately reaching up to the sky to get more sunlight. In the centre, we see a big green meadow covered with numerous flowers, with Leo Tolstoy walking right through it. The overcast sky looms high above among the tree tops.
Set against the forest, the writer’s figure looks humble, yet it is apparent at once that the whole painting is centred around it. Tolstoy is looking into the distance as if thinking over a future literary masterpiece.
Yasnaya Polyana is an estate that belonged to the prominent Russian writer Leo Tolstoy; he was born Yasnaya Polyana and spent there most of his life. Unique nature of this place inspired the writer to create stories and novels that received worldwide acclaim. His writings were published in large print runs and translated to many different languages. Famous film makers have used them for their screen adaptations.
The great Russian writer and sage was very fond of taking long walks till his extreme old age. He especially enjoyed walking at Yasnaya Polyana. While taking a walk around his estate, the writer, who had the title of count, drew inspiration from observing and absorbing nature.
It is believed that, when living at his estate, Leo Tolstoy used to wear very simple clothing so that passers-by would not recognize him. Boris Merkulov depicted the famous novelist precisely in such an outfit.
The writer is wearing a loose peasant-style broadcloth belted blouse. Such blouses were specially made for him by his wife and one of the village seamstresses. Tolstoy liked neat and clean clothing but dandyism was alien to his nature. Later long belted blouses came down to be known as tolstovka in tribute to the famous writer.
Boris Merkulov, who depicted the great Russian novelist at his estate, was born on 27 November 1939 in the village of Khrenovoye of the Voronezh Region. Since 1965, he has been living in Uzlovaya of the Tula Region. A natural artist, he used to work as a decorator at the Plastics Factory and Uzlovskugol coal mining enterprise.
Since 1970 the artist regularly exhibits his works at city and regional exhibitions. Not only is he a painter and graphic artist but he also uses other media: wood carving, embossing, sculpture. Since 1999, for over two decades, Boris Merkulov has been creating artworks for the Uzlovsky Museum of Fine Arts and Local History.
The greater part of the painting is taken up by trees desperately reaching up to the sky to get more sunlight. In the centre, we see a big green meadow covered with numerous flowers, with Leo Tolstoy walking right through it. The overcast sky looms high above among the tree tops.
Set against the forest, the writer’s figure looks humble, yet it is apparent at once that the whole painting is centred around it. Tolstoy is looking into the distance as if thinking over a future literary masterpiece.
Yasnaya Polyana is an estate that belonged to the prominent Russian writer Leo Tolstoy; he was born Yasnaya Polyana and spent there most of his life. Unique nature of this place inspired the writer to create stories and novels that received worldwide acclaim. His writings were published in large print runs and translated to many different languages. Famous film makers have used them for their screen adaptations.
The great Russian writer and sage was very fond of taking long walks till his extreme old age. He especially enjoyed walking at Yasnaya Polyana. While taking a walk around his estate, the writer, who had the title of count, drew inspiration from observing and absorbing nature.
It is believed that, when living at his estate, Leo Tolstoy used to wear very simple clothing so that passers-by would not recognize him. Boris Merkulov depicted the famous novelist precisely in such an outfit.
The writer is wearing a loose peasant-style broadcloth belted blouse. Such blouses were specially made for him by his wife and one of the village seamstresses. Tolstoy liked neat and clean clothing but dandyism was alien to his nature. Later long belted blouses came down to be known as tolstovka in tribute to the famous writer.
Boris Merkulov, who depicted the great Russian novelist at his estate, was born on 27 November 1939 in the village of Khrenovoye of the Voronezh Region. Since 1965, he has been living in Uzlovaya of the Tula Region. A natural artist, he used to work as a decorator at the Plastics Factory and Uzlovskugol coal mining enterprise.
Since 1970 the artist regularly exhibits his works at city and regional exhibitions. Not only is he a painter and graphic artist but he also uses other media: wood carving, embossing, sculpture. Since 1999, for over two decades, Boris Merkulov has been creating artworks for the Uzlovsky Museum of Fine Arts and Local History.
