K. Bryullov, "Horsewoman" - a masterpiece of Russian painting of the Romantic era

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

In 1832, traveling around Italy, K. Bryullov took an order from the Russian Countess Yu. The order has been completed. Now this picture called "Horsewoman" adorns the hall of the Tretyakov Gallery. Looking at the canvas, it is safe to say that the artist worked with great enthusiasm and painted an amazingly beautiful painting that embodied the deep ideas of romanticism of the early 19th century.

The painting is considered one of the brightest and most characteristic masterpieces that Bryullov created. "Horsewoman" is distinguished, first of all, by the unusualness of the artistic image, the picturesque plan. The image of a fragile, graceful girl, easily controlling a skittish horse, arouses genuine admiration not only for her little sister watching her from the porch of a house or gazebo, but also for the viewer looking at the canvas from another, real, world.

Draw an unusual full-length portrait of a girl sitting astride ahorse, - this is the task that Bryullov set for himself. The “horsewoman” is depicted not in static, but in motion, at the moment when she stops a black horse with an elegant handle, heated by a walk and excited by the premonition of a thunderstorm reigning in the atmosphere. This presentiment is conveyed through light and shadow, through the branches of trees bowed by gusts of wind, through the sky, overcast by the oncoming clouds. The light falling on the fragile figures of people clearly distinguishes them against the background of darkened nature, the subtle nuances of which Bryullov depicted. The rider, however, is very calm and serene. It seems that the atmosphere around her only increases her joy of feeling the fullness of life.

This amazing canvas is very decorative, it attracts the eye with subtle colors, many subtle halftones of color and light that Karl Bryullov displayed on it. "Horsewoman" is distinguished by a harmonious combination of truthfulness, realism of the image with the deep symbolism of romanticism. This is emphasized by the unusual composition, the contrast of the image (after all, an equestrian portrait is more suitable for a commander or emperor, and not for a young girl).

Many art historians note some static face of the Amazon, but here lies the deep meaning that Bryullov put into this image. The horsewoman, her fragile figure, the way she handles a horse, even a hat with a fluttering veil, are the embodiment of earthly beauty and strength from a feeling of fullness of life and youth, therefore she is indifferent to the tension reigning in nature from the impending elements. This beautyemphasizes the light that envelops the girl and highlights her against a dark background, as well as the enthusiastic and slightly envious look of the baby watching her. One of the main ideas of Russian romanticism is conveyed in a bright artistic image - the greatness and beauty of an earthly person who defies the elements.

The overall impression of the picture is amazing. The skill with which the Russian artist Bryullov performed it is striking. "Horsewoman" is a painting that is undoubtedly one of the true adornments of the most complete and diverse collection of paintings by Russian artists in the State Tretyakov Gallery and a real "pearl" of painting of the Romantic era.