Somov Konstantin – Lady in Blue (1897) GTG 900 Classic russian paintings
Somov Konstantin - Lady in Blue (1897) GTG
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COMMENTS: 5 Ответы
ПОЧЕМУ НЕ В КРАСНОМ?
Потому что в голубом.
как глубоко) очень красиво)
I love this painting very much. How were our artists so adept at creating such deep and accurate psychological portraits of people, capturing the state of a persons soul and depicting that state in the painting? Its amazing. This is one of the most poignant portraits in the history of Russian painting. However, the word lady (and the very concept it represents) is completely unsuitable for such a deep, intelligent, thoughtful, sad, suffering, expressive, Russian, human face...
If we compare it to poetry, for example, a great Russian classic (Lermontov, for instance; Pushkin would not be suitable for this kind of theme, as they are completely different: Pushkin would have been happy even in prison, while Lermontov would have been sad even in paradise) does not use the word lady, but finds other words and expressions:
She is not captivating with proud beauty
To young, living souls,
She does not lead a crowd
Of silent sighers.
And her figure is not that of a goddess,
And her breast does not rise like a wave,
And in her, no one recognizes his own sanctuary,
Kneeling on the ground.
But all her movements,
Her smiles, words, and features
Are so full of life, inspiration,
So full of wondrous simplicity.
But her voice penetrates the soul,
Like a memory of better days,
And the heart loves and suffers,
Almost ashamed of its own love.
(M. Yu. Lermontov).
Очень красивая эта Мартынова!
You cannot comment Why?
The background is deliberately ambiguous. A dense hedge obscures much of the surrounding landscape, creating a visual barrier between the subject and the world beyond. Through this foliage, glimpses of distant figures and a body of water are discernible, hinting at an expansive park or garden setting. The sky above displays muted tones of pink and grey, suggesting either dawn or dusk – a time often associated with introspection and melancholy.
The artist’s use of light is particularly noteworthy. It illuminates the womans face and upper torso, drawing attention to her features while leaving portions of the gown in shadow. This contrast enhances the sense of depth and volume within the painting. The lighting also contributes to a somewhat somber mood, avoiding bright, celebratory tones.
Subtleties in the subject’s expression invite contemplation. While not overtly sad, there is an underlying quietness, a certain reserve that suggests a complex inner life. Her posture, while graceful, lacks exuberance; it conveys a sense of restraint and perhaps even a touch of weariness. The fan, traditionally associated with flirtation or social interaction, seems almost an afterthought in her grasp, further reinforcing this impression of detachment.
The overall effect is one of restrained beauty and subtle psychological depth. The painting does not offer easy answers but instead invites the viewer to ponder the subject’s thoughts and feelings, hinting at a narrative that lies just beyond the surface of the visible image.