V.A. Tropinin
СОДЕРЖАНИЕ: Тропинин.V.A. Tropinin (1776-1857)
Tropinin is one of the greatest masters of the Russian portrait. Tropinin was bora in the village of Karpovka in Novgorod province in a family of serfs. Tropinins work is democratic and progressive. He is one of the most original and charming figures in the history of Russian art. His biography is an unusual one. Up to the age of 47. he was one of Count Morkovs serfs. According to the whims of his owner he worked in succession as a butler, a pastry cook and manager of the counts estate in the Ukraine. It was with great difficulty that he entered the Academy of Arts in Petersburg. He studied in Shchukins class in 1798 - 1804. Forced to interrupt^ his studies at the Academy. Tropinin developed his skill independently, constantly painting from life. He reveals a poetic attitude to the world. The portrait studies of the counts children, the Morkov brothers and Natalia Morkova, show a light tonality. The Portrait of the Artists Son A.V.Tropinin (1818) is executed with warmth and serious attitude to the world of childhood.
From the 1820s the artists life, was completely linked with Moscow. He produced portraits of some eminent figures in Russian culture. But the most popular picture ever created by Tropinin is probably his portrait of Alexander Pushkin for which the poet sat in 1827. The remarkable likeness was stressed by contemporaries. The portrait reflects the powerful mind and inspiration of the poet. In 1823, after receiving his freedom, he was made an associate by the Council of the Academy and in 1824 awarded the title of academician. After his liberation from serfdom he went to live in Moscow. He is considered to be the founder of the 19th century Moscow school of painting, which took themes and subjects from real life.
Visitors to the Tretyakov Gallery often stop to admire Tropinins remarkable picture The Lace-make.n ( 1 823). \ This was the first Russian portrait to depict the city working girl. Tropinin once said that he liked to . paint people at a happy moment of their life. Tropinin frnd pleasure in painting young and attractive faces: young Ukrainiar weavers, lace- makers, goldthread embroideresses, young men with gu4af?cod boys with flutes. In Russia it was he who showed the way to the new i fistic art as opposed to the abstract classical trend favoured by the Academ of Arts.
1. Head of a Boy (Portrait of the Artitsts Son), 1818, 40,4 X 3°
2. Lace-maker, 1823, 74,7 X 59,3
3. Alexander Pushkin, 1827
4. The Guitar Player, 4823, 82,5 X 64
5. Self-portrait at a Window with a View of the Kremlin, 1846