Repin's painting "Pushkin at the Lyceum Exam": history of creation, description, impression

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

Repin is known throughout the world as the most talented Russian artist. Repin's painting "Pushkin at the Lyceum Exam" has become one of the most famous works of the master. Decommissioned from the poet himself, it amazes with its colorfulness and accuracy of the image. The painting is rightfully considered one of the best that came out from under the brush of the artist.

About the history of appearance

The story of the creation of the painting "Pushkin at the Lyceum Exam" is amazing. Despite the disputes of historians, there is a very beautiful version of the creation of this canvas, which is written on the basis of real historical events and accurately shows the process of attestation of lyceum students in the 19th century. In addition to the fact that the figure of Alexander Sergeevich himself is depicted in the picture, one can also see the figure of G. Derzhavin, who is also a significant personality for Russian classical literature.

It was 1815, January. Imperial Lyceum, which was located in Tsarskoye Selo,planned to conduct exams that Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin himself had to pass. He was only fifteen at the time. Having amazed everyone present with his talent, which the poet proved by reciting the poem “Memories of Tsarskoye Selo”, the exam was successfully passed. Already after the judges, they said that everything that fills the real Russian soul is affected in the poem of Alexander Sergeevich.

After many years, the lyceum celebrated its anniversary - 100 years since its opening. For this solemn event, Repin received an order to paint a canvas. The initiators of the order were members of the Lyceum Society. Repin was so honored because he differed from other artists in his interest not only in art, but also in literature.

Repin's undoubted talent

Even before writing the painting "Pushkin at the Lyceum Exam", Repin was very fond of the work of Alexander Sergeevich. He read a lot of literature about the poet. When the order was accepted, the artist enthusiastically began work on it. As his friends and acquaintances later recalled, he became a real fan of such a famous and outstanding personality as Pushkin. Ilya Efimovich read all the literature that contained any material from Pushkin's memoirs about Tsarskoye Selo and the Lyceum. This is what caused such a stir, which caused the artist's canvas.

Description of the picture

"Pushkin at the lyceum exam" is a large canvas. The paints used by the master are bright and saturated. The whole picture of Repin"Pushkin at the Lyceum Exam" captivates with its colorfulness. A lot of details on both the first and second planes make you peer into the canvas.

The impression of the painting "Pushkin at the lyceum exam" is different for everyone, of course. However, positive reviews greatly outweigh those that carry a negative assessment of the canvas.

What is depicted on the canvas?

The picture shows the moment of the exam, when Alexander Sergeevich demonstrated his talent in front of the public. The huge hall of the Lyceum, large marble columns, black and white slabs on the floor - all this speaks of the we alth and prestige of the educational institution. A beautiful portrait of the emperor hangs on the wall. The whole hall is filled with people in expensive outfits and suits. You can immediately see how much people were interested in Pushkin's personality and talent.

In addition, by the clothes of the guests who came to the performance of Alexander Sergeevich, you can see that these people are typical representatives of the noble population. Lush dresses for ladies, expensive suits for men - everything speaks of we alth.

In the center of the hall stands Alexander Pushkin himself at the moment of the presentation of his legendary poem "Memories of Tsarskoe Selo". The poet is depicted in a very theatrical pose - the left leg is extended forward, the right hand rises to the sky. From the expression on the face of the young man, one can tell how emotionally the poet himself presented his creation to others.

To the left of the poet are depictedexpensive oak tables at which examiners sit. Among the judges there is also a person who is known throughout the world thanks to his literary talent - G. R. Derzhavin. The legendary poet was so surprised by the skill of Pushkin, who at that time was only fifteen years old, that he sat up in order to better hear the young talent.

A few words about composition

Speaking of Repin's painting "Pushkin at the Lyceum Exam", it is important to say that the painting is extremely realistic. In addition, it is written in the spirit of the classical style. Those who are fond of and versed in the fine arts, it is immediately clear that such a technique as the "Golden Section" is used in the picture. This can be seen from the way Pushkin's figure is depicted on the right side of the picture. It is there that the same line of the golden section passes. In addition, it is important to note how perfectly the left side retains its proportions. This can be seen if you pay attention to the location of Pushkin and Derzhavin and the space up to the wall of the hall. The distance from the right edge of the canvas to the figure of Gavriil Romanovich is divided into two absolutely equal parts, the middle line of which passes through the figure of Alexander Sergeevich.

The main character of the composition, its center, is a very young poet. All the free space of the lyceum hall belongs only to him. The most beautiful, epic, memorable pose of Pushkin tells everyone about the pride that the poet feels when talking about Tsarskoye Selo.

If we talk about the background, you can see that neitherone of the guests present is not visible face. Only bright and rich clothes, clear figures catch the eye.

Repeated attempts by the artist

It is known that Repin did not immediately manage to portray Alexander Pushkin the way he wanted. He worked on the canvas for several years. There were many attempts to portray the poet: from one angle, from another, near the river in the morning or in the evening. There were a huge number of possible variations of passing this exam. Repin constantly did not like what came out in the end. He depicted Pushkin with different facial expressions, but, according to the artist, all this was “not the same”. As Repin's friend Korney Chukovsky later recalled, the artist depicted so many faces on the canvases that this number would be enough to fill an absolutely empty city.