An exhibition of one painting "Karl Bryullov. Portrait of the Volkonsky children with arap" (1843)

February 22 at the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts (Lenin St., 104, the main exposition) will open the exhibition of one painting "Karl Bryullov. Portrait of the Volkonsky children with arap" (1843) from the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery dedicated to the 220th birthday of K. P. Bryullova (1799-1852).

This masterpiece of the genius of Russian painting is first shown in the halls of the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts and is an important component of the exhibition activities of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The portrait genre is a significant part of the artist’s creative heritage. The works created by K. Bryullov clearly demonstrate that the master, first of all, proceeded from the features of the model. For the painter, the main thing was the man with his unique individual traits and a special emotional mood, and the composition found and the coloristic solution always sounded in unison with the inner world of the depicted.

The life history of the “Portrait of the Volkonsky Children” is interesting: until the 1917 revolution, it was kept in the family of Prince P.D. Volkonsky. In 1905, the work was exhibited at the famous portrait exhibition arranged in the Tauride Palace by S. Diaghilev. In Soviet times, it fell into the State Russian Museum, and in 1930 it was transferred by exchange to the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The group “Portrait of the Volkonsky children with arap” essentially complements the series of brilliant children’s images created by K. Bryullov in painting and graphics.

“Portrait of the Volkonsky children with arap” is distinguished by the boldness of compositional construction, the brightness and richness of color, and the special brilliance of the performance. The group portrait has a plot plot. Before us is a spectacular picture with numerous accessories. On the balcony with a fancy balustrade, a baby with a dog and a girl in a court suit are sitting on a soft leopard skin.

Liza Volkonskaya, despite her tender age, has already been recorded in the status of maids of honor of the court of the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna. Her silver dress with a purple train has a blue moire bow with a maid of honor. The Most Serene Princess gazes proudly at the viewer. The gesture of her hand, the forward leg and straight back emphasize the aristocratic origin and high position at court. K. Bryullov admires the subtlety of the camp and the whiteness of the girl’s skin, contrasting with the chocolate complexion of the arap, hidden in the foliage of the park. The painter painstakingly conveys the texture of children’s clothing fabrics: fluffy fur and shiny silk, transparent lace and soft velvet. Bryullov is a brilliant animalist. His rare breed spaniel with curly hair was painted immaculately, lively and expressively.

L.A. Markina, Head Department of Painting of the XVIII - the first half of the XIX century of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Doctor of Art.

An extensive cultural and educational program has been prepared for the exhibition, including thematic excursions, lectures by employees of the State Tretyakov Gallery, concerts and classes for children.

Schedules and detailed information will be posted on the website and in the museum groups on social networks.

The exhibition runs until June 2.