Portrait of Arseny Vasilievich Tropinin, son of the artist Vasily Tropinin (1776-1857)
Vasily Tropinin – Portrait of Arseny Vasilievich Tropinin, son of the artist
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Painter: Vasily Tropinin
Location: The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow (Государственная Третьяковская галерея).
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Portraits of children occupy a special sphere in the art of Vasily Tropinin. Throughout his life he created more than twenty canvases on this subject. Childish images were especially lovely for the artist, because his main love and hope is his growing native son. Tropinin paints children with musical instruments, playing, reading, embracing animals, in all their openness and spontaneity. After becoming a famous portrait painter, Tropinin remained in the serf service of Mr.
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Description of Vasily Tropinin’s painting "Portrait of the Artist’s Son, Arseniy".
Portraits of children occupy a special sphere in the art of Vasily Tropinin. Throughout his life he created more than twenty canvases on this subject. Childish images were especially lovely for the artist, because his main love and hope is his growing native son. Tropinin paints children with musical instruments, playing, reading, embracing animals, in all their openness and spontaneity.
After becoming a famous portrait painter, Tropinin remained in the serf service of Mr. Morkov. On the Ukrainian estate he worked as a house painter and servant. The servitude was painful for him, giving rise to the hope of creative freedom. An impulse of freedom was not a commissioned image of his son in 1818 in a pure and soulful image.
The artist painted the face of his son Arseny with particular enthusiasm. It’s as if he opens his inner world to viewers. With intimate frankness he shows his conviction in the bright calling of man. The beholder is exposed to the world of childhood dreams, a living and trusting universe.
The boy’s head is illuminated by fluttering golden rays. Recently he had been frolicking and playing, as evidenced by the slightly disheveled collar of his shirt and disheveled curls. But now, forced to pose for his father, Arseniy is thoughtful and serious. We can only guess where those deep troubled eyes are looking.
The picture is unusually harmonious, enveloped in the master’s love. The child’s face is graceful, gentle and noble. The poetic look of the boy in warm brownish shades is easily imprinted in the memory. It seems that in creating the picture Tropinin dreamed not of his own deliverance, but of his son’s will. His father’s aspirations were not destined to come true. But this work was recognized as one of the best in Russian painting, and "Portrait of a Son" to this day delights with its extraordinary warmth of soul.
COMMENTS: 3 Ответы
ТРОПИНИН
Успокоительный художник
Тропинин – чудный колорит.
Он будто свет жемчужно множит,
И свет мистически звучит.
Успокоительны сюжеты
И благородство тишины
Вливают в душу вам портреты
Своеобразной глубины.
ПРИКОЛЬНО
Самые лучшие его картины "пряхи", таких мало, почти нет.
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He is wearing a light-colored shirt with a subtle pattern and an open, high-necked collar. Over this, he has on a darker, somewhat rumpled jacket or vest. The clothing appears to be simple and perhaps a bit informal, suggesting a focus on the boy’s youth and naturalness rather than social status. The background is dark and largely featureless, with a distinct shaft of light falling on the right side of the composition, catching the edge of his hair and shoulder. This strong contrast between light and shadow adds depth and drama to the portrait.
The subtext of the painting lies in the intimate and tender portrayal of a child. The artist, likely the boys father, has captured a moment of youthful contemplation or perhaps a fleeting glance. The directness of the gaze, even though averted, creates a connection with the viewer. The soft rendering of the boys features, the play of light and shadow, and the subdued palette all contribute to an atmosphere of quiet observation and affection. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time, emphasizing the innocence and developing personality of the subject. The informal attire further suggests a personal, familial connection, moving away from the more formal portraiture conventions of the era.