Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov - painter of the people's soul

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

Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov is perhaps one of the most famous artists of the Russian Empire. Along with Karl Bryullov, Ilya Repin and Ivan Kramskoy, the painter belongs to the galaxy of brilliant domestic masters of the brush. It was Illarion Pryanishnikov who founded the world's first association of itinerant artists, who, despite tsarist censorship, took their works around the cities and organized independent exhibitions.

Prianishnikov's paintings still receive rave reviews from art critics, and are also actively acquired by well-known collectors for private collections.

The master's works reflect the life and life of direct Russian peasants, the atmosphere of old Russia, the folk spirit, customs and habits that have been preserved for centuries in the outback are perfectly conveyed.

Prianishnikov's biography

The artist was born on March 20, 1840 in the small village of Timashovo, Kaluga province. The boy belonged to an old merchant family and received an excellent home education. In terms of his development, Illarion was significantly ahead of his peers; by the age of twelve he was alreadywas able to apply to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. The examination committee, having familiarized themselves with the artist's children's works, was so amazed by the boy's talents that Pryanishnikov was admitted to the academy without entrance exams.

Unfortunately, Illarion's family soon went bankrupt and could not pay for the young man's further education. Seeing the serious attitude of Pryanishnikov, taking into account his exceptional abilities, the leadership of the academy completely exempted Illarion from paying duties for materials and brushes, and also almost tripled the tuition fee.

The knowledge-seeking Illarion got a job as an "errand boy" in a trading shop, where he tried to do double the quota of work in order to get double the pay.

Early years

Thanks to hard work and the help of the employer, in 1856 Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov was restored at the academy and immediately entered the painting class, which was led by recognized masters of the brush, such as E. S. Sorokin, S. K. Zaryanko, E. I. Vasiliev. The latter became a close friend of the young artist and was able to obtain from the leadership of the academy the complete cancellation of tuition fees and the provision of an apartment for the young talent.

In 1864, Illarion created his first major work - the painting "Reading a letter in a small shop", she received rave reviews from critics and brought the master a small silver medal from the directorate of the academy. A year later, Pryanishnikov receives a large silver medal for his work “Jokers. Gostiny Dvor in Moscow.”

Society of Wanderers

At the end of 1869, Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov set about creating a society of artists whose work would be accessible to ordinary people, regardless of the review that this or that work received from the imperial office. Such a project of such an uncensored union was incredibly bold and radical for that time, it had little chance of success. However, at the beginning of 1870, under the active leadership of Illarion, the "Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions" was created, popularly called the "Union of Wanderers".

For Russian artists of the 19th century, the theme of folk life became special. Despite the fact that the first revolution was still far away, more and more members of the upper strata of society became interested in the life of ordinary people, and a fairly significant number of representatives of the creative intelligentsia tried to paint a picture of folk life in their works.

Patriotic War

In the middle of the nineteenth century, Illarion begins to pay great attention to the history of the Patriotic War of 1812. The artist paints several canvases dedicated to this topic.

Many literary encyclopedias contain an enthusiastic description of Pryanishnikov's painting "In 1812", which depicts captured French soldiers. The work was admired by both the artist's contemporaries and his descendants. The legendary Ivan Kramskoy spoke of this painting as a "masterpiece of Russian painting" and "a wonderful thing."

Teaching activities

In 1873, the artist accepts an offer to become one of the teachers of the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Under his strict guidance, such talents as Korovin, Lebedev, Malyutin, Stepanov and many other creators were revealed, whose works in the future will become the pearls of Russian painting.

At the end of the nineteenth century, the artist creates several paintings illustrating the traditional way of life of the inhabitants of the Russian North. These works found a positive response from culturologists and art historians of that time, finally securing the title of a brilliant painter for Illarion.

Folk themes have always been the basis of the artist's work. It was from her that he drew both inspiration and strength to continue working in difficult life periods.

Art Style

Features of the painting style of Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov include rather large strokes, the use of a large number of shades of black and brown. Along with bright and bright episodes of peasant life, the artist skillfully depicts the gloomy everyday life of ordinary people, filled with hardships and problems. The artist's works are characterized by a gloomy mood and faded colors, which greatly affects the overall impression of Pryanishnikov's series of paintings.

Death

The life path of the great artist ended on March 12, 1894. Illarion Mikhailovich Pryanishnikov died in his house in Moscow, surrounded by people close to him– wife and adopted daughter.