1873 Girl with a Tress Ivan Kramskoy (1837-1887)

Description of Ivan Kramskoi’s painting The Girl with the Scythe

The painting was painted in oil on canvas in 1873.

Directions in painting: realism.

The painting belongs to the late work of the artist. Kramskoi painted portraits and historical paintings. He was good at landscapes, but did not give them a preference in his work. His portraits are notable for their ability to accurately reproduce the faces of people. But they could not always be interested, giving preference to the general plan.

The canvas "Girl with a loose plait" written by the artist for himself, it was in his studio for the rest of his life. The artist wrote it under the influence of mental suffering, in connection with the losses and disappointments of life.

The painting depicts a girl looking into the void. Her face is filled with pallor and morbidity. Her eyes are sad, full of agonizing musings. Dark shades of blue and brown accentuate her whitish skin. Her morbidity is associated with inner suffering. It is a time of turning inward, of soul-searching. But, in spite of that, the girl is beautiful.

Under the influence of the painting, you want to reflect on your life, and believe that the heroine of the portrait has gone through all the pains of the soul and found herself. She stares tiredly and indifferently into the void, disregarding the artist painting her portrait. Kramskoi has skilfully drawn a face that gives us an awareness of her longing for her tired gaze. The elegant earring on the girl’s ear catches the eye and dilutes the overall sad look of the portrait.

Kramskoi was a master of the portrait genre. For almost two centuries his paintings have been striking for their insight and ability to convey psychological characteristics in subtle detail.

The painting is kept in the State Tretyakov Gallery.