Fyodor Rokotov: biography and creativity

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

It takes only a couple of centuries, and the life of the creator is dragged on by a veil, and now we no longer know in detail how Fyodor Rokotov lived, his biography is hidden behind the veil of time. Historians and art historians are re-discovering the famous painter, whose name thundered during the reign of Catherine II.

Brief information about the life of the artist

Fyodor Stepanovich Rokotov (1735-1808) was a native of the serfs of Prince P. I. Repnin. In his village Vorontsovo near Moscow, in the southwest, the future artist was born. He was lucky: it was a relatively liberal time, when talents were sought and favored. So I. I. Shuvalov, gathering capable young men to study at the Academy of Arts, found a pure diamond. It was Fyodor Rokotov, who in 1760 would paint a portrait of his patron. It was at his house that the young painter took his first lessons under the guidance of Pietro Rotari. Shuvalov not only noticed him, but also raised him. The academy has not opened yet.

Meet Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov

When young Fyodor Rokotov wrote an outstanding scientist, communication with him undoubtedly influenced the formation of the young man's personality.

The canvas is written in favorite Rokotovred and green colors. The great enlightener is depicted in a scarlet camisole against the background of a green velvet drapery. The scientist is depicted with the attributes of work. In his hands he holds a pen, and on the table in front of him is a sheet of paper. His thoughtful gaze is directed upwards. It is thanks to this work of the artist that we know the appearance of the scientist.

In St. Petersburg

Presumably, the first known work painted in 1775 by Fyodor Rokotov, the artist, (photo shows a self-portrait painting) was "Portrait of an unknown young man in a guards uniform", which suggests that Rokotov himself served.

Service was required to get the rank and with it the nobility. But the future artist began to study at the Academy in 1760. His progress has been noticed. In 1762 he was entrusted to paint a large formal portrait of Peter III. After this work, Fedor Rokotov enters the first stage at the Academy. He becomes an adjunct teacher. The next title will be academician. Two portraits became reference. The first was written in 1763, after the coronation of Catherine II, Rokotov was specially taken to Moscow to write it.

The portrait of the Empress is very decorative. The sculpted profile and chest stand out brightly against the background of noble brownish-burgundy draperies. And the fresh and young Empress herself, like an exotic flower, is placed on a throne with scarlet upholstery. She has all the required regalia: crown, scepter and orb. Catherine II liked the portrait very much. From him weretwo copies made.

Count G. Orlov

Favorite of the Empress, influential nobleman, handsome Grigory Orlov is depicted in a camisole with gold embroidery, worn over lat.

He with a scarlet sash stands against the background of the sky, in which azure flashes. Orlov looks like a disguised ancient god. In 1765, the painter wrote a copy of the painting "Venus, Cupid and Satyr" and became an academician. He has no shortage of commissioned portraits and paints them. His works are extremely different from everything created by foreign masters who work in Russia in the eighteenth century in the Rococo style. However, the Academy forbids freelance work on the side. Therefore, in 1775, Fedor Rokotov left the northern capital forever. When viewing the works of the early period, it becomes clear that the colors are still colorful and too contrasting, and the drawing is too hard.

Fyodor Rokotov: biography and paintings

In 1778 Prince Repnin dies. It is assumed that the artist will buy the estate on Basmannaya Street for two thousand six hundred rubles with the legacy he left behind in three years. Because Rokotov could not earn money quickly. The artist took extremely low wages for his work - one hundred or even fifty rubles. The workshop was simply bursting with an abundance of orders. Rokotov is now firmly established in Moscow. Moscow society enthusiastically welcomes the young famous portrait painter, a well-defined master who painted several intimate male portraits in St. Petersburg. Among them, one can single out a portrait of I. G. Golenishcheva-Kutuzova, unclesfamous commander, or I. G. Orlov, a smart, refined nobleman. Portraits of the St. Petersburg period are distinguished by their interest in the originality of the appearance of the model and its psychological characteristics. In the portrait of V. I. Maikov behind his pampered appearance, behind the squint of his eyes, behind the grin on his beautiful lips, you can guess the ironic mind and insight of the poet who created the famous satirical poem "Elisey".

The face is written almost tangibly. The palette of the painting combines red and green tones, which further emphasizes the fullness of the image created by the artist.

Fyodor Rokotov: biography and creativity

And in the capital, a vibrant social life is in full swing. Mason N. I. Novikov develops a network of printing houses, where translated and domestic literature is printed. Novikov tries to make his publications affordable even for the poorest sections of society. Buying one book from him, the second person receives for free. Trade is brisk and not at a loss, while the circle of readers is expanding. Rokotov subscribed to a magazine, "Morning Light", which had a Masonic direction, which was published by Novikov. However, there is no information that the artist himself was a Freemason, just as there are no Masonic paraphernalia in his works. Plays by playwright A. P. Sumarokov. And the poet M. M. Kheraskov formed a literary circle. In this spirit of freedom and enlightenment, the master's views on the world and artistic creativity are formed. In Moscow, Rokotov was accepted as an equal, and he became a member of the English Club.

Rokotov Style

In the 70s creates his owncreative style Fedor Rokotov. The artist most often paints oval-shaped portraits. They usually depict the model's upper body. The figure is almost never given directly, only with a slight twist. The painter pays special attention to the eyes and facial expressions. She is fleeting. The master catches the elusive - the feelings of a person, transferring them to the canvas. Fyodor Rokotov, an artist of the 18th century, usually takes three colors as the basis of color. The richness of shades, their play, the sophistication of colors are designed to convey the complex inner world of the model. Chiaroscuro is distributed in such a way that first of all the face “emerges”, the rest of the details are immersed in twilight, the models mysteriously and mysteriously look at us, slightly squinting.

Creative flowering (1770 - 1780)

Especially deep and full, the artist in his 35-45 years old managed to reveal female images. They are full of mysteries and secrets. Here is an image of V. E. Novosiltseva.

Magnificence, dignity, self-confidence - everything is conveyed by the painter. The eyes with a slight "Rokotovsky" squint are mocking, as are the lips folded into a slight smile. Carefully written out her translucent white dress, ruffles and a bluish satin bow. The light figure of the model emerges from the dark background and approaches the viewer.

E. V. Santi and V. N. Surovtseva

1785 - the time of the creation of the image of Countess Elizabeth Vasilievna Santi, who successfully married and took a high position in society.

Pale thin face, lips with a slight smile. Beautiful roseadorns the lady's hairstyle, long earrings emphasize the beautiful oval of the face, the exquisite greenish-pink range of her dress with ashy tints - everything speaks of the calm self-confidence of this indifferent, ironic and cold aristocrat. The artist's color scheme is impeccable. Charming, young, with a simple Russian face, full of dignity and hidden tenderness, Varvara Nikolaevna Surovtseva appears before the viewer. Shown here is the spiritual beauty of a young woman that captivates more than her facial features.

Generalizing in Rokotov's paintings

Each portrait is individual. He visibly conveys the facial features of the woman he depicts. But the main and common is the transmission of the complex spiritual world, the we alth and beauty of the inner life, the sublime structure of human feelings. When an artist reveals the intimacy of the soul, there always remains an understatement, a riddle and a mystery. This gives the images a special poetry.

Portraits of men

The ideal of a man of the Age of Enlightenment was expressed in them by the artist - honor and dignity. As the best representatives of the noble intelligentsia, the poet A. N. Sumarokov and the gifted diplomat of the Catherine era A. M. Obrezkov, who was the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. The image is especially interesting because it shows an energetic, intelligent and insightful person. The deep and noble mind of the poet, fabulist and playwright Sumarokov is visible on his face.

He is in disgrace, and the expression of contemptuous bitterness reflects his feelings.

About Rokotov almost nothing at allinformation has been preserved. There are no notes or private correspondence with him. It is only known about the last years that he lived without a break in Moscow and was buried by his nephews (the artist was not married) in December 1808 in the Novo-Spassky Monastery.