Exhibition of one painting by Konstantin Dmitrievich Flavitsky "Italian" (1856)

An exhibition of one painting by Konstantin Dmitrievich Flavitsky "Italian Woman" (1856), dedicated to the 190th anniversary of the artist’s birth, will open on November 12 at the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts (104 Lenina St., main exposition).

Having received the Big Gold Medal for the painting "Joseph Sold by the Brothers" (1855, Russian Museum) and the right to travel to Italy as a pensioner of the Academy, on June 9, 1856, Konstantin Flavitsky left Petersburg, inspecting art galleries in Europe on the way. Like most academic retirees, he settled in Rome - the "eternal city" with an abundance of ancient architectural monuments and mesmerizing nature, where the unforgettable creations of Karl Bryullov, the most influential authority among the creative youth of that time, came to life. Perhaps a tribute to his passion for Italy and admiration for the great Russian master was the portrait of a young Italian woman (1856, Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts), painted shortly after his arrival in Rome. The spectacular canvas, enclosed in an oval frame, is sustained in the traditions of academic painting. The artist is definitelyadmires the beautiful young model, although he somewhat idealizes her image. The girl folded her hands in a prayer position and raised her large almond-shaped eyes upward. Her dark skin and black hair contrasts beautifully with the white fabric of the outfit. The master delicately prescribes the border of chiaroscuro, emphasizing the graceful face of the model. Perhaps he intended to use the portrait in one of his paintings.

Konstantin Flavitsky lived in Rome for about 6 years and returned to Russia in 1862. At the academic exhibition in 1864 he was presented with a work on a plot from Russian history "Princess Tarakanova" (1864, Tretyakov Gallery), which earned him the title of professor of the Academy of Arts and praise from critics. Unfortunately, this canvas was the last major work of the master. His health was undermined by tuberculosis, which intensified in St. Petersburg, and the material hardships that accompanied the artist in recent years. Hoping to find salvation from illness in the warm climate of Italy, he was going to go there, but did not have time, dying at the age of 36. The funds received from the sale of the painting "Christian Martyrs in the Colosseum" were donated to the Academy of Arts by the artist’s brothers Nikolai and Ivan for the establishment of the Konstantin Flavitsky scholarship.

The exhibition will run until December 13.