Valentin Serov "Portrait of Nicholas 2"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The great Russian artist Valentin Serov became famous as a master of portraits. He wanted and wrote, in his own words, only joyful or "pleasant". Despite his short life (46 years), the artist painted a huge number of portraits, landscapes, and sketches. Valentin Serov's works are currently kept in 25 Russian museums, 4 foreign museums and private collections.

The uniqueness of the artist is beyond doubt, the hallmark of his character was truthfulness. He was unfamiliar with a deal with conscience, as Repin said, and Korovin called Serov a seeker of truth. Also, the artist’s paintings are filled with love of truth, nobility and sincerity, according to A. N. Benois. Among the many paintings and drawings, you can find portraits of the Romanov family. They are kept in the State Russian Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery.

In the article, consider the painting by Serov "Portrait of Nicholas 2", where the sovereign is depicted in the uniform of a colonel.

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The sovereign decided to make a gift to his wife Alexandra Feodorovna and ordered his portrait. Oddly enough, but Serov did not work from the very beginning. The frustrated emperor sat down at the table and folded his hands. At that moment, his look and figure took on the expression that Serov needed.

During the revolution of 1917, workers bursting into the palace with bayonets tore up the portrait of Nicholas II, but Serov (fortunately!), immediately after the original wrote a copy of the portrait. Today the painting is stored in the State Tretyakov Gallery.

The first year of the beginning of the 20th century

"Portrait of Nicholas 2" by Serov was written at the very beginning, in 1900, a difficult and eventful twentieth century. The artist could not manage to capture the image of the tsar in any way, because in front of him was not a simple person with outstanding abilities, but a Personality with a capital letter, on which lay the responsibility for the Russian people. The state of affairs throughout the world also depended on the behavior of the last emperor of Russia.

The picture shows that the last emperor of Russia is an outstanding person. Valentin Serov "Portrait of Nicholas 2" decided to write not for solemn occasions. On the canvas, the emperor is depicted somewhat tired after a hard day's work. Mind, calmness and sadness shine in the eyes. Apparently, he had a premonition of the fate of the country and his family.

It is known that the artist himself was of a hard temper. The empress, who was present during the sessions, dared to give advice to the portrait painter on how to paint the face of the emperor. The artist silently handed her the paints. The gesture was expressiveThe Empress left the room. This incident did not have the best effect on the relationship between the artist and the imperial family.

Nikolai Aleksandrovich tried in every possible way to establish relations with the artist, but the latter, according to information, no longer made contact. It is known that for this reason many models were afraid of the artist and did not always agree to pose for him.

Description of the portrait of Nicholas 2

Serov used wide free strokes without transitions from one tone to another. The details in the picture are not worked out.

There is nothing in the background, an ordinary wall. There are no attributes commonly used in the writing of roy alty. There are no solemn interiors, royal clothes. The painting itself is a canvas, 71 x 58.8 cm in size. The painting style is impressionism, the artist used oil paints.

On the canvas, Nicholas 2 is presented in the form of an officer of the Preobrazhensky Regiment. He sits with his hands folded in front of him, which gives the appearance of firmness and determination. There were many rumors about the identity of the emperor. Some considered him too soft and melancholy and perceived the refusal of the throne as a betrayal, but one should not forget that the emperor renounced the throne in favor of his younger brother Michael, and then, together with his family and devoted servants, suffered a painful death.

There are many portraits of the last emperor, but in spite of everything, the portrait of Nicholas 2 Serov is considered the most successful. The artist painted a still young king, emphasizing this in a light tone. Brown, gray and black colorseasily shade the oval of the face, especially his attentive eyes. The style of writing is similar to a sketch, but a well thought out sketch.

Icons of the royal martyrs

Today, in every Orthodox church and in almost every house there is an icon of the last Russian emperor. There are images where he, the empress and children stand holding crosses in their hands, and there are icons where the imperial family is depicted together with servants.

Valentin Serov brilliantly portrayed the appearance of the emperor. Looking at his portrait and knowing the further tragic fate of this man, it is impossible to remain indifferent. "Portrait of Emperor Nicholas 2" by Serov is rightfully considered the best image of the sovereign.