Since the 1820s, Russian artists tried to depict life emphasizing its simple and natural character. They depicted everyday and unremarkable events and ordinary people.
A democratic trend in the Russian painting of that time is associated with Vasily Tropinin’s name. The exhibition presents the artist’s Portrait of an Unknown Man in his Hunting Clothes. The unknown man’s image is romantic, although romanticism is not typical of the painter’s art works. The portrait was painted under the artist Karl Bryullov’s influence.
Tropinin puts the man’s figure against the sky covered with thunderclouds. The man’s head is turned to the right, which is emphasized by a look away. The portrait contains Tropinin’s favourite painting techniques. The man’s hands seem to be thin, while bluish shades and red strokes on the ears and around the nostrils convey the skin transparency. The painter selects an exquisite and noble colour range, predominantly, dark green and brown colours. Various colour shades are repeated in the hunter’s clothes and accessories.
Vasily Tropinin was born to a peasant serfs’ family. The future artist demonstrated a talent for painting when a child; he portrayed people conveying their peculiarities. Tropinin’s family was owned by Count Irakly Morkov, who was far from art and did not share his serf’s passion. The Count sent Tropinin as an apprentice of a confectioner in St Petersburg.
Subsequently, Tropinin became a non-degree student in the Academy of Arts, which was allowed to serfs. In accordance with tradition, Tropinin should have been given freedom for his successes in art studies, but Count Morkov had other ideas and told the artist to come back to his estate. In the village of Kukavka, Podolia Governorate, Tropinin was appointed as manor artist; he painted the Morkovs’ and their friends’ portraits. The artist lived in the estate for about 20 years and, finally, became free when he was already a famous portrait painter. One of Vasily Tropinin’s most famous paintings is The Lace Maker; he also painted a famous portrait of Alexander Pushkin.
A democratic trend in the Russian painting of that time is associated with Vasily Tropinin’s name. The exhibition presents the artist’s Portrait of an Unknown Man in his Hunting Clothes. The unknown man’s image is romantic, although romanticism is not typical of the painter’s art works. The portrait was painted under the artist Karl Bryullov’s influence.
Tropinin puts the man’s figure against the sky covered with thunderclouds. The man’s head is turned to the right, which is emphasized by a look away. The portrait contains Tropinin’s favourite painting techniques. The man’s hands seem to be thin, while bluish shades and red strokes on the ears and around the nostrils convey the skin transparency. The painter selects an exquisite and noble colour range, predominantly, dark green and brown colours. Various colour shades are repeated in the hunter’s clothes and accessories.
Vasily Tropinin was born to a peasant serfs’ family. The future artist demonstrated a talent for painting when a child; he portrayed people conveying their peculiarities. Tropinin’s family was owned by Count Irakly Morkov, who was far from art and did not share his serf’s passion. The Count sent Tropinin as an apprentice of a confectioner in St Petersburg.
Subsequently, Tropinin became a non-degree student in the Academy of Arts, which was allowed to serfs. In accordance with tradition, Tropinin should have been given freedom for his successes in art studies, but Count Morkov had other ideas and told the artist to come back to his estate. In the village of Kukavka, Podolia Governorate, Tropinin was appointed as manor artist; he painted the Morkovs’ and their friends’ portraits. The artist lived in the estate for about 20 years and, finally, became free when he was already a famous portrait painter. One of Vasily Tropinin’s most famous paintings is The Lace Maker; he also painted a famous portrait of Alexander Pushkin.
