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Karl Bryullov (1799-1852) worked in the style of rebellious romanticism. From childhood, the artist was surrounded by beauty, his father was a creative person – Pavel Ivanovich Bryullov (1760–1833), a sculptor and academician of French roots. Almost until the age of seven, Karl was bedridden, doctors diagnosed him with an acute aneurysm. But, at the behest of Pavel Bryullov, Karl was torn from his bed and began to teach painting, because his future was a foregone conclusion – he would be a creator and artist.
At the age of 16, the young man got into the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, in which his father greatly supported him. He helped his son to master the skills of art, so Karl studied better than his peers. Bryullov showed his talent – he did not just give the forms of the human body conditional correctness, but revived them and gave grace, previously unfamiliar to the students of the Academy.
You can admire the paintings of Karl Bryullov for a long time, which is what art critics do, seeing on the canvases something more than ordinary viewers see. We offer you not just to look at the paintings, but to delve into their meaning, to feel what the artist wanted to show … We offer you to get acquainted with the most famous paintings of the painter Karl Bryullov.
10 Italian afternoon
Year of foundation: 1827
The critically acclaimed picture “Italian Afternoon” – one of the most significant in the history of the artist’s life. By the time of writing, Bryullov was already widely known, and the picture was commissioned by Nicholas I himself.
The fact is that in 1823 the painter painted “Italian Morning” – the canvas made a huge impression on the public, and when, after a series of successful exhibitions, it reached St. Petersburg, the Society for the Encouragement of Artists, having paid Karl Bryullov for the painting, presented it to Nicholas I. And he presented the painting to his wife Alexandra Feodorovna (1872–1918), who was delighted with it. She made a new order, and then the artist painted “Italian Noon”, but critics bombarded the picture with unflattering reviews at the exhibition, because then the academic sphere was against realism and liberty.
9. Genseric’s invasion of Rome
Year of foundation: 1836
Bryullov painted portraits of famous people, worked in the historical genre, to which the picture belongs. “Invasion of Genseric on Rome”. The picture reflects a tragic moment in the life of ancient Roman civilization. The canvas was painted in 1836, the idea of creating it visited Bryullov back in 1833, when he was in Italy.
The famous painting was commissioned by Aleksey Alekseevich Perovsky (1787–1836). Genre – historical painting. In the picture, we see how the army plunders the leader of the Vandal tribe of the ancient state. The event takes place in 455. African warriors ruthlessly create devastation around, and the main point in the picture is the abduction of Evdokia (401-460) and her daughters.
8. Turk
Year of foundation: 1837-1839
We see in the picture “Turkish woman”, which Bryullov wrote, as a girl with a calm look lies, leaning on pillows. In her appearance, everything looks relaxed, even her eyes give out peace. And the outfit and headdress emphasize non-European beauty. To match the girl, a bright background was created – as sharp, contrasting as she herself.
Subdued tones were not required to emphasize her nationality. On the contrary, a bright background emphasizes its beauty. For the canvas, Bryullov used his memories, once he came to the Ionian Islands. The memories were so clear that nature was not needed. This is how he saw Turkish girls and was able to convey through his work all the “spicy beauty” of the region.
7. At the Bogoroditsky oak
Year of foundation: 1835
Bryullov’s paintings captivate the viewer with serenity and beauty – as if life exists according to aesthetic laws, which can be judged by looking at “At the Bogoroditsky Oak”. The paintings are just asking to be the decoration of the living room. An acceptable reaction to them is admiration and delight, veneration of the artist.
The well-known painting was painted in watercolor, the centerpiece is an oak tree, which is the decoration of a sacred place where wanderers come to make a pilgrimage. And now Bryullov “caught” this moment, people of different ages and gender are standing near the oak: a girl with an umbrella, an old man, a woman. Masterfully, the artist was able to convey the play of light, which seeks to get through the thick branches of a tree.
6. Death of Inessa de Castro
Year of foundation: 1834
Like all the works of Bryullov devoted to a historical theme, the picture “Death of Inessa de Castro” delights even those who do not understand anything in painting. This is because the theme touches to the core – the girl is on her knees, and the kids are hugging her. Nearby are the killers with an air of grandeur. The creepy faces of the thugs and those terrible daggers come into contrast with the man standing without emotion – it’s clear that this is the culprit of the situation.
Karl Bryullov wrote the picture when he was in Milan, and he spent only 17 days on writing. So much time has passed, and the picture is still admired and in awe. The canvas is permeated with drama – Bryullov, as always, was able to masterfully convey the historical plot.
5. Bathsheba
Year of foundation: 1828 – 1832 Feet
Historical “Bathsheba”, painted by the watercolorist Bryullov, is based on a biblical story and clearly demonstrates the artist’s talent. The canvas perfectly conveys the idea of unfading, bewitching female beauty. The artist painted the picture while in Italy, but the result did not impress him, so he left it unfinished.
The canvas conveys a historical moment – according to legend, King David (1035 BC – 970 BC) saw the young wife of his commander Uriah. Bathsheba was so beautiful that she amazed him. He sent her husband to death, and he took the girl to his palace, for which he was punished by the death of his firstborn.
4. Aurora portrait
Year of foundation: 1837
The beauty of Aurora (1808-1902) will be forever alive, because once she received a gift from her husband – Pavel Demidov (1798-1840) asked Karl Bryullov to draw his wife. The artist spent a long time poring over portrait of AuroraThe result is an incredible beauty. This portrait is still “alive”, it is illustrated in almost every book on art, where there is the name of the artist.
According to legend, Aurora was famous for her extraordinary beauty and was very kind. It was in her honor that the famous cruiser was named. But unfortunately, the fate of Princess Aurora was not favorable: in 1840 she lost her husband. Aurora inherited a huge fortune and managed to use it wisely.
In 1846 she decided to put an end to mourning and married again – to Andrey Karamzin (1814-1854), but in 1854 he was killed by the Turks. After that, the princess built a chapel in Florence and devoted her life to charity.
3. Rider
Year of foundation: 1832
Bryullov’s picture “Rider” one of his best work. It is full of dynamics, movement and beauty. First of all, the viewer draws attention to the rider herself – it is surprising how such a fragile girl manages with a strong horse. It is immediately clear that this horse is a descendant of noble blood. He is handsome, his skin is shiny. The horse rises slightly, as if he wants to admire his grace – it is unlikely that he has a goal to throw off the girl.
The picturesque picture was painted in Italy – art critics still argue about the prototype of the heroine. The canvas was commissioned by Yulia Samoilova (1803-1875), known for her relationship with Karl Bryullov.
When the picture got to the exhibition (and this happened immediately after writing), it was called the best among equestrian themes. Bryullov began to be called the second Rubens (1577–1640) or Van Dyck (1599–1641).
2. Self portrait
Year of foundation: 1848
We are all a little daffodils, and Karl Bryullov is no exception. One of the favorite techniques in the history of artists is painting a self-portrait. Self portrait reached the pinnacle in the genre of an intimate portrait of the artist – Bryullov painted it in 1848, when he was ill.
For seven months, the 50-year-old creator, on the instructions of doctors, did not leave the house and most of the time he was alone. And, finally, when spring was already in full bloom outside in 1848, everything was permeated with a warm breeze and rich aromas of flowers, the first thing Bryullov asked the doctors to bring him paints and an easel. His request was granted. When the artist got what he wanted, he quickly created a self-portrait, but periodically returned to it to correct it.
1. The last day of Pompeii
Year of foundation: 1827 – 1833 Feet
Picture “The last day of Pompeii” was written by Bryullov in Italy, where he went on a trip. Despite the fact that the artist had to return from a trip after 4 years, he lived there for 13 years. The plot of the picture comprehends the historical moment – the death of Pompeii: August 24, 79 BC. e. 2000 inhabitants died due to the volcanic eruption.
Bryullov first visited the site in 1827. Going there, the 28-year-old creator did not even know that the trip would impress him so much – the feelings that the painter experienced on the spot did not leave him alone, so Bryullov set about creating a picture depicting Italians. This is one of Bryullov’s most famous paintings and took 6 years to complete.