In his works, German Metelyov addressed a variety of genres and subjects, including characters of the Ural tales. The stories written by Pavel Petrovich Bazhov inspired many artists to create different works of art.
Metelyov’s painting “The Tale of The Ural Master Writer” portrays the recurring characters of the stories “The Stone Flower” and “The Master Craftsman”. The center of the composition shows a young man Danilo the Craftsman, a gifted gem cutter and lapidary. His thoughtful gaze is riveted on the gemstones.
According to the plot, Danilo wished to embody the beauty of a forest flower in a piece of semi-precious malachite stone. He strove to create such a stone flower that would resemble a real plant. The young craftsman reached the height of his artistic abilities in attempts to copy the creation of nature, however, his efforts were fruitless. Then Danilo decided to visit the domain of the Mistress of the Copper Mountain, where there was an underground garden with perfect works created by mountain craftsmen. Danilo asked the Mistress to show him the Stone Flower. The Mistress yielded to his request, meanwhile reproaching him for the unwillingness to come up with an idea of his own. So fascinated he was by the indescribable beauty of the carvings that Danilo decided to leave his loved ones and join the workshop of the Mistress of the Mountain.
One of the aspects of the tale’s conflict is the struggle between mechanical and creative approaches to art. Danilo, being a true creator in spirit, was forced to fulfill orders devoid of any beauty.
Dissatisfied with being supervised, Danilo sought to reveal all the possibilities of such a material as malachite and show people the true value of the stone. His inexhaustible thirst for creativity was the source of restlessness known to every artist. Art historians believe that Danilo’s search for inspiration might echo that of German Metelyov himself.
Metelyov portrayed Katya, Danilo’s bride, standing next to him. Her image radiates sadness and sorrow. When Danilo disappeared, she waited several years for him to return. She even began to learn gem cutting. In the end, Katya’s love was strong enough to get Danilo back, rescuing him from the Mistress of the Copper Mountain.
Metelyov’s painting “The Tale of The Ural Master Writer” portrays the recurring characters of the stories “The Stone Flower” and “The Master Craftsman”. The center of the composition shows a young man Danilo the Craftsman, a gifted gem cutter and lapidary. His thoughtful gaze is riveted on the gemstones.
According to the plot, Danilo wished to embody the beauty of a forest flower in a piece of semi-precious malachite stone. He strove to create such a stone flower that would resemble a real plant. The young craftsman reached the height of his artistic abilities in attempts to copy the creation of nature, however, his efforts were fruitless. Then Danilo decided to visit the domain of the Mistress of the Copper Mountain, where there was an underground garden with perfect works created by mountain craftsmen. Danilo asked the Mistress to show him the Stone Flower. The Mistress yielded to his request, meanwhile reproaching him for the unwillingness to come up with an idea of his own. So fascinated he was by the indescribable beauty of the carvings that Danilo decided to leave his loved ones and join the workshop of the Mistress of the Mountain.
One of the aspects of the tale’s conflict is the struggle between mechanical and creative approaches to art. Danilo, being a true creator in spirit, was forced to fulfill orders devoid of any beauty.
Dissatisfied with being supervised, Danilo sought to reveal all the possibilities of such a material as malachite and show people the true value of the stone. His inexhaustible thirst for creativity was the source of restlessness known to every artist. Art historians believe that Danilo’s search for inspiration might echo that of German Metelyov himself.
Metelyov portrayed Katya, Danilo’s bride, standing next to him. Her image radiates sadness and sorrow. When Danilo disappeared, she waited several years for him to return. She even began to learn gem cutting. In the end, Katya’s love was strong enough to get Danilo back, rescuing him from the Mistress of the Copper Mountain.
