The painting "Unequal Marriage" by Pukirev: the history of creation and description

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

The middle of the 19th century in Russia was marked by the appearance of so-called dowry brides. Families with an average income experienced need from time to time, money was not always enough even for the most necessary things. At that time, children were growing up, expenses were increasing, and the family budget could not stand it. Families with several daughters had the hardest time, as each girl wanted to dress beautifully, and this was quite expensive.

Against the background of unsettled life, family troubles arose and, in the end, parents began to look for a way out of this situation. The eighteen-year-old daughter-beauty, as a rule, was surrounded by fans who were ready to take care of her and even marry her. Basically, they were young dandies with good external data, but without material means. The girl's parents tried to find her a richer groom, and the bride herself understood that she did not need an insolvent husband. However, time flew by quickly, many marriageable girls could not find their happiness and remained unmarried. There were not enough suitors, those who couldto make a party for a decent girl, there were no number of them, a real hunt was conducted for them.

Marriages of convenience

It was far from always possible to get engaged to a handsome and we althy young man, most often disappointment occurred in the first weeks of acquaintance. And then the classic elderly suitors came to the fore, ready to lead a young, inexperienced virgin down the aisle. Seventy-year old men, not at all embarrassed, got married, negotiated with their parents, offered fabulous sums. Of course, the young beauty could not accept such courtship from a decrepit old man, but her parents were in a hurry to order a wedding dress. At the same time, the mother told her daughter: “You will marry, and that’s the point … It’s enough for us to live in need.” This was followed by sleepless nights, girlish tears, prayers, but the parents were adamant. Often, girls tried to commit suicide in order not to marry a hated old man.

Painting "Unequal Marriage": History

In 1863, at the Moscow Academic Art Exhibition, the work of the young artist Vasily Pukirev was presented, which made a splash. The painting "Unequal Marriage" was dedicated to the theme of forced marriages in Russian society of that time. Nevertheless, in the socio-psychological sense, no one saw the problem, only the bride herself suffered, who had to endure the harassment of the hateful groom. Material interest, the desire to make a profitable deal forced the parents to sacrifice the interests of their own daughter. Author of the painting "Unequal Marriage"openly condemned the commercialism of Russian society. The aged generals, who had already looked after themselves a young defenseless bride, began one by one to refuse to marry.

Wedding

The painting "Unequal Marriage", the description of which involves getting to know the characters in detail, reflects the wedding scene in the Orthodox Church. The twilight of the altar aisle is slightly scattered by the light falling from the window. In general, the picture "Unequal Marriage" leaves an impression of hopelessness. In the center is an elderly groom, dressed in an expensive suit, with an unnatural posture, supported by a tight corset. His head barely turns, squeezed by a high collar, dull eyes arrogantly look at those around him, a medal sparkles on his chest, and an order on his neck. These awards are clearly inappropriate for a church wedding. The old man tries to look at the bride from the height of his general rank, but he is pathetic, although he tries to keep up.

It is difficult to understand the psychology of a decrepit warrior, because, most likely, he once had a daughter, whom he sought to successfully marry. Behind a long life, in which there was a lot of good, like any person. Why such callousness, callousness towards a young creature?

Bride

The most significant character in the picture - a young girl - is written by the artist with particular care. The bride is still a child, with a bowed head, barely holding back her tears, this day is the most bitter in her life. A gentle face framed by blond curls is sad, a candle inchild's hand bent, wax dripping on the wedding dress. The shameful groom is very close, the feeling of his presence torments the girl's soul. Her right hand is extended to the priest, who is about to put a wedding ring on a thin finger. The bride is indifferent, she is already indifferent to her own fate. Dressed in a wedding dress, the girl sacrificed herself for the benefit of her family, who will now be able to live in abundance.

Priest

The priest in the picture is depicted hunched over, lost, as if he has to do a thankless job. He looks from under his brows, the pose is tense, unnatural, his attire, an embroidered riza, bristles. In his left hand is an open church book, in his right is a wedding ring, which the priest is ready to put on the bride's finger. Perhaps he once had a daughter whom someone tried to break her life. The priest is confused, but he is ready to fulfill his duty to the end.

Schafer and others present

In the picture, in addition to the bride and groom, several other characters are depicted. Behind the bride is the best man with a boutonniere on the lapel of his frock coat, he is sad, even preoccupied. The unnaturalness of the events unfolding under the church vaults oppresses the young man. Next to him is a man who, apparently, is also not indifferent to what is happening. All other characters shown in the picture are close people of the groom, among whom are an officer, a matchmaker and several civilians.

For and against

Famousart critic, art historian, Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov, seeing Pukirev's painting, said: "Finally, a work has appeared on the topic of the day, taken from the very depths of modern life."

However, not everyone shared his opinion. The artist found a lot of enemies who began to reproach him for insufficiently deep study of the topic. A wave of controversy arose in the press, and they argued about Pukirev's work. In the end, it was recognized that he created a picture doomed to success. The accusatory plot did not leave anyone indifferent. The virtuoso painting, the composition of the drawing, the refined psychological characteristics of each character - all this raised the artistic value of the painting to an unprecedented height. A new talented artist appeared in Russia - Vasily Pukirev ("Unequal Marriage"). The description of the painting, its analysis, and the opinion of critics made it possible to conclude that the masterpiece appeared on time. Russian society was ready to condemn marriages of convenience for their immorality.

Unequal marriage! Woe and suffering, death for the fragile girl's soul. How many folk songs have been composed about the fate of homeless women, about the bitter fate of ordinary Russian women. The tragedy of the theme was embodied in other works of painting and literature, such as the play by A. N. Ostrovsky "The Poor Bride", the painting by F. Zhuravlev "Before the Crown", the painting by V. Makovsky "To the Crown". "Unequal Marriage", a painting by Pukirev, dominated this list. Thus, the motive of marriage of convenience entered intofine and theatrical arts.

Recognition

The painting "Unequal Marriage" was recognized as a masterpiece of painting, for which Vasily Pukirev was awarded the title of professor of painting. The Academy makes the person who has painted the big picture a professor, but which one? A picture where there is no fire, no battle, no ancient or modern history… Everyone was excited by the new, modern theme of the power of money and the author's position, clearly expressed by the figure of a young man standing behind the bride. However, more on that later. After that, Pukirev's fame became all-Russian. The artist took up teaching, successfully created groups of gifted young men, tried to develop natural talent in them, and passed on his knowledge and experience.

Many were interested in who the artist depicted in his picture, rumors spread around Moscow. Some believed that the plot was based on a tragedy from the life of the painter himself - his bride, they say, was married off as a rich old man. There were no grounds for such assumptions, but everyone liked this version. And since the rumors are tenacious, the story of the artist's unhappy love, invented by someone, occupied the minds of Muscovites for quite a long time.

How the story came about

In fact, the painting "Unequal Marriage" did not have such a romantic origin. The fact is that Vasily Pukirev had a close friend, artist Pyotr Shmelkov, a drawing teacher. He lived in need and therefore was constantly in search of work and plots for his paintings. Sometimes he managed to get tutoring in some rich house. Spinning in highersociety, Shmelkov more than once observed the marriage alliances of old people with young brides. He even made a series of sketches on this topic, hoping to use them in the future when writing a picture.

Church Decree

In 1861, in February, the Holy Synod issued a decree condemning the large age difference in marriage, since at that time every second marriage was done on the basis of material interest. Perhaps then Shmelkov suggested to his friend the theme for the picture. Pukirev was carried away by the idea and began work. As a sign of gratitude, he drew Shmelkov next to the best man. And he portrayed himself as the best man.

Besides Vasily Pukirev himself and his friend Shmelkov, there is another famous character in the picture. This is Grebensky, the frame master. When he saw the picture, he immediately set out to make a frame for it "which has never been before." It turned out to be a truly work of art, decorated with fine, elegant carvings. Thus, "Unequal Marriage" (picture by Pukirev) received a worthy frame. Since then, the Tretyakov Gallery has ordered frames for collection paintings only from Grebensky.

Artist activity

At one time, Vasily Pukirev successfully worked for the interior decoration of the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity, in Gryazi. He created nine icon-painting images. In addition to sacred art, the artist was engaged in portraiture, created a series of images of famous people. Among other things, the thirty-year-old Pukirev taught at the MoscowSchool of Painting and Sculpture.

The collapse and death of the creator

The talented artist never got a family, although according to some reports he proposed to Praskovya Matveevna, a woman of a beautiful soul, the very one who posed for him as a bride while working on the painting "Unequal Marriage". The declaration of love was unrequited, and the artist lived all his life in solitude. This played a role: things gradually fell into decay, new paintings were not in demand. Pukirev began to drink, he had to leave the school. Further - more: the artist lost his apartment, sold all his things and began to live on charitable handouts. Friends helped in any way they could, but this could not go on for long. And on June 1, 1890, Vasily Pukirev died all alone, at the age of 58. The artist was buried at the Vagankovsky cemetery in Moscow.

"Unequal Marriage", a painting by the artist Pukirev, is currently in the Tretyakov Gallery, located at the address: Moscow, Lavrushinsky lane, 10. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

"Unequal marriage", picture, price

On the Internet you can find reproductions of any art canvases. The situation is different with the author's copies of masterpieces made at a fairly high professional level, such works are few. Specialized sites contain both reproductions and artistic copies. Visitors often ask the question, who painted the painting "Unequal Marriage"?Of course, everyone wants to know more about the legendary canvas.

Online stores offer author's copies of the masterpiece. The painting "Unequal Marriage", whose photo is posted on almost all portals, websites and forums related to painting, is sold for 28,000–42,000 rubles.

Similar paintings

In addition to Vasily Pukirev's masterpiece, there are a number of paintings on the theme of unequal marriages. The artist Firs Zhuravlev painted a picture in 1874 that continued the theme of the decline of morality in Russian society. In the room, a sobbing bride, already dressed in a wedding dress, is on the floor, an unforgiving father stands nearby. The fate of the girl is sealed, in a few minutes she will be taken to the church and married to an ugly rich old man. The painting is called "Before the wedding", it is in the Tretyakov Gallery.

In 1894, the St. Petersburg artist Vladimir Makovsky painted the painting "To the Crown", also reflecting the theme of the moral degradation of society in Russia in the mid-19th century. The canvas depicts an immaculate Russian beauty, heartbroken, deprived of any hope for a happy life. The painting is in the Samara Art Museum.