In the Tretyakov gallery opened an exhibition of works by historical artists of the second half of the XIX — beginning of the XX century

TG
23 Feb — on July 22 2018
Moscow, Lavrushinsky lane, 10, hall 27

Exhibition "Pictures of Russian history" continues the program "the Tretyakov gallery opens its reservists". She anticipates the exhibition of works of V. I. Surikov and introduces viewers to the works of his contemporaries — historical painters of the second half of the XIX — beginning of the XX century: V. S. Smirnov, G. S. Sedov, K. E. Makovsky, K. V. Lebedev, A. D. Litovchenko, S. V. Ivanov, A. P. Ryabushkin. A number of sculptural works of M. M. Antokolsky, M. O. Mikeshin, S. O. Tselinsky complement the exhibition.

According to the hierarchy of genres adopted in all the art academies of Europe, the main thought of the historical genre. In the Imperial Academy of arts historical painting received special attention, and the basis of the academic training system historical painter, was the program. This term is understood a mandatory task, which approved the Council of professors of Academy of fine arts. The exhibition presents two paintings, executed in the framework of a competitive academic programs in historical painting: painting by K. E. Makovsky "the agents of the Pretender Dmitry kill the son of Boris Godunov" (1862) and the work of V. S. Smirnov, "Prince Michael of Chernigov before you bet Batu" (1883). Academic classicism oriented artist looking for the perfect hero — physically perfect man with a strong sense of duty. It thus revealed to us Prince Michael of Chernigov in the picture Smirnova. In the picture Makovsky positive hero becomes the victim of evil forces and the fatal circumstances.

the Themes and subjects included in the exhibition of works borrowed mainly from the history of pre-Petrine Russia XVI–XVII centuries. Medieval Russia, once thriving and a vanished civilization became a kind of myth which divided the artists represented in the exhibition. In the past, they saw the moral and aesthetic ideal for the present. Artists sought to find historical characters embodying the essential features of the national character. Thus, in the painting of K. V. Lebedev, "the Abduction of a bell. Martha Posadnitsa. The destruction of the Novgorod Veche" (1889), inspired by the painting "Boyarynya Morozova" by V. I. Surikov, the whole plan rests on the image of the heroine. This large canvas was unveiled on the 19th-й the exhibition of the Wanderers. After a complex restoration work, a work first exhibited in the Tretyakov gallery.

Historical painting of the late XIX — beginning of the twentieth century focused not on the drama of the story "out of history", and the beauty of everyday items and architecture of the past — preserved living witnesses of former times. A new look was required and the new stylistics, the search which was reflected in the works of A. P. Ryabushkin, S. V. Ivanov. Artists have defined the vector of further development of the historical genre in the direction of increasing generalized-поэтического and decorative started. The first steps in this direction were made Ryabushkina in "the Seat of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich with the boyars in his state room" (1893). After their predecessors — historical painters-академистами — bands and Ivanov focused on the XVII century. They tried to convey the charm of the era, resorting to the method of styling details of the past life. However, broad, free brushwork, the use of the compositions, built on the principle of random frame, active introduction to the picture of the landscape with consideration of plein-air effects created a sense of "reality" of what is happening.

Source: press-релиз GTG