Portrait of Zhukovsky's brush of Kiprensky and other Russian artists

Russian poetry is an extremely bright phenomenon,expressive, diverse. They formed it, determining the spiritual orientation and aesthetic criteria, Trediakovsky and Sumarokov, Lomonosov and Derzhavin. They, so to speak, prepared the ground for the appearance of Pushkin, Lermontov and other luminaries of the verse. But what has been done for the domestic literature by Vasiliy Andreevich Zhukovsky is difficult to overestimate. It is not for nothing that the great Pushkin called Zhukovsky his teacher all his life.

Romantic in literature and in life

A poet, an interpreter, a literary critic, a memoirist,Vasily Andreevich was a person, versatile gifted. A special origin, a failed personal life, left a dramatic imprint on his fate. And he became a romantic not only because of the proximity of this direction to his own soul movements, but also under the influence of external circumstances. The portrait of Zhukovsky, the famous Kiprensky (1816), and later, painted by the artist Sokolov in the 1920s, give us a fairly complete idea of ​​the outstanding appearance of a young poet, his intense mental work. On both of them we see an extremely expressive face, filled with inspiration and troubled thoughts. It seems that the poet is immersed in himself, but at the same time he tries to listen to the movements of life hidden from the ordinary eye. And another famous portrait of Zhukovsky, written by Karl Bryullov, also conveys this feature of character.

Unfinished work

When two masters, two extremely talentedpeople are united for one reason or another, this tandem can give amazing results. The portrait of Zhukovsky in Kiprensky's performance is the best confirmation of this. He was written in a rather short time, before the artist left for sunny Italy. The picture was ordered by Count Uvarov. Art connoisseurs know about one feature: it turns out that the most famous portrait of Zhukovsky is not finished! Kiprensky did not complete the left hand of the poet at the request of the customer - in order to preserve the effect of a creative impulse, inspiration. The poet-romantic is depicted in a very close to him and the artist of the elements, against the background of a mysterious night landscape with a destroyed tower, the silhouette of which emerges from the darkness. Zhukovsky's hair is flying in the wind. The look of the magnificent pensive eyes is directed forward and deep in itself. Pose an inspired dreamer, trying to catch the mysterious "music of the spheres." It is felt that he painted a portrait of Zhukovsky Kiprensky with pleasure, putting in the work not only talent and skill, but also sincere sympathy for the model. And the poet himself was extremely pleased with the result.

"Memories and I are one and the same ..."

Many painters were lucky to captureThe image of Vasily Andreevich in different years of his life. However, the most successful contemporaries and critics recognized the image written by Karl Bryullov. Gone were the impulses of a rebellious youth, the passions died down, the heart softened, thoughts grew wiser. Before us is a middle-aged man, who has experienced much, understood, understood, felt. Years left their mark on him, especially if we compare this and the previous portrait of Zhukovsky. Kiprensky painted a young man, Bryullov - almost elderly (by the standards of the 19th century) man. But in both images, in addition to external similarities, there are other common features. It is concentration, thoughtfulness, natural kindness, depth of nature. A table with books emphasizes the circle of the poet's interests, his rich spiritual life, intellectual work. The pose of the poet sitting quietly in a comfortable, cozy chair, leading a leisurely, measured way of life, is also fulfilled with pacification.

Zhukovsky for Shevchenko

Bryullov's painting was so popular with the poet thathe devoted a poetic message to his portrait. He played a special role in the fate of Taras Shevchenko. Portrait of Vasily Zhukovsky was drawn in a lottery between representatives of the royal family. The proceeds, as well as the personal money that was reported, Bryullov and Vasily Andreevich went to buy Shevchenko from serf bondage.