Portrait in painting is a genre fine arts, in which artists strive not so much for external resemblance as they try to reflect the inner character of the person depicted. A portrait can be individual or collective; the master artist creates an image typical of a certain era.
History of the genre
How did it turn out during the ancient art. On the island of Crete, during excavations, many frescoes with images of women were found. Other art monuments date back to Egypt, where wooden boards were discovered with portraits depicted on them using the encaustic technique (these are wax-based paints). During the Middle Ages, portraits in painting existed only to depict donors and were part of the general artistic composition on religious themes.
The heyday of painting fell on the Renaissance. Renaissance artists preached humanistic ideas and took the world as a basis individual person, landscapes and interiors were given a modest role as background. The masterpiece of that time was La Gioconda, and its author Leonardo da Vinci became famous for centuries.
Titian made a huge contribution to the development of the genre; he created a whole gallery of portraits of his contemporaries. Self-portraits of artists such as Jan van Eyck and Albrecht Durer are examples for many portrait artists.
Portrait of a woman in painting
The eternal theme of art is the depiction of the image of a woman. Each era drew its own ideal of a woman, and her character attracted special attention many artists. Looking at the portrait of those times, we can see how the appearance and inner world influenced by certain events public life, art, literature, fashion.
Russian art in general, and portraiture in painting in particular, show how the ideal of female beauty has changed over the centuries. This is due to a change in worldview, habits, customs, with a change in systems of government and generations.
Images of women
By the end of the 18th century, Russian portraiture in painting reached its peak. And one of the most important and popular topics is image feminine charm. On the canvases we see flirtatious and seductive women. And in the portraits of foreign artists, Russian ladies and young ladies look like dolls, they coyly and playfully smile, and this makes one look like the other.
Russian artists I.P. Argunov, D.G.Levitsky, V.L. Borovikovsky sees a woman differently. They bring psychological revitalization and concrete character to a woman’s portrait. In painting they try to convey a living and real picture of the morals, tastes and fashion of the era of female omnipotence. We see the whole spectrum female characters: arrogant cold beauty and tender soft dreaminess, coquetry and modesty, spiritual charm and severe secrecy with isolation. But to dominate the hearts of men is the main thing.
New ideals
The era of romanticism of the 19th century was designed to show a woman’s special sensitivity and subtle movements of the soul. The work of Karamzin and Zhukovsky had a huge influence on artists of the beginning of the century, for example, O.A. Kiprensky. Their canvases reflected all the features of romanticism in the portrait genre. In painting and music, as well as poetry of this time, motifs of personal lyrical experiences and the mysterious beauty of native antiquity were in demand (A. N. Verstovsky’s romantic opera “Askold’s Grave” of 1835 was especially popular).
But by the middle of the century, the sublimity and dreaminess of female images disappeared without a trace. From the paintings of this period you can study fashion trends. Feathers on hats, jewelry, lace are carefully drawn out; getting carried away by the details, artists often forget about the character himself. Arrogance reigns in the images of secular beauties, and that warmth and simplicity is no longer there.
But some artists of the beginning of the century, in particular Venetsianov and Tropinin, in search of “living” images turn to to the common people. A movement of “common” female portraits arose, creating an idealized image of a working woman.
Paintings by K.S. Petrova-Vodkina
The new century is characterized by the search for new forms in the portrait genre. In painting (the 6th grade of the school studies in detail the topic “Female Images” in art classes), artists turn to the past and future in search of feminine ideal. The theme of motherhood and femininity occupies a large place in the work of V. Petrov-Vodkin. In the work “Mother” the artist achieved a full disclosure of the theme. His painting is a hymn to family happiness and the holiness of love. In the image of the mother, we feel moral strength, purity and sublimity; hugging the child to her, she resembles the Madonna.
Painting “Our Lady. Tenderness of Evil Hearts” was written by him during the First World War; it is the artist’s emotional response to the bloody events of those times. He created a sublime and reverent image, which in terms of the depth of its impact is one of the most powerful in his work.
The image of a woman has changed from era to era, but has retained the main enduring features: beauty, tenderness, motherhood.
How often do we admire works of art without thinking about who is depicted in them? Only the names of the royals remain in memory, and the identity of the girl, whose foggy silhouette is visible in the corner of the picture, remains unknown. About the women who posed for artists famous paintings, will tell todayAmateur. media.
Dutch Mona Lisa
The famous “Dutch Mona Lisa”, “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Jan Vermeer was painted around 1665. For a long time the painting was simply called “Girl in a Turban”, its modern name she received it only in the 20th century. The depiction of turbans in paintings has become popular since the 15th century, and Vermeer often uses this detail of the toilet in portraits. The whole picture was painted in a special genre “troni”, which meant the image of a person’s head.
The "Dutch Mona Lisa" has long been called "The Girl in the Turban"
True to its name, the viewer's eye is drawn to a large pearl earring.
According to the most common version, it is believed that his young daughter Maria posed for Vermeer’s portrait, although some researchers still suggest that it could be the daughter of the artist’s patron, philanthropist Ruyven. Maria was one of Vermeer's 15 children - his marriage was truly happy. The artist loved his wife, and she often posed for him for paintings.
Mystical portrait of young Lopukhina
The portrait of Maria Ivanovna Lopukhina, one of the representatives of the Tolstoy count family, is one of the most famous works Russian artist Borovikovsky. It was painted in 1797 and is now kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.
Portrait of M. I. Lopukhina is one of Borovikovsky’s most famous works
The poet Yakov Polonsky dedicated his poems to the girl depicted in the portrait: “She passed away a long time ago, and those eyes are no longer there, and that smile is gone that silently expressed suffering - the shadow of love, and thoughts - the shadow of sadness, but Borovikovsky saved her beauty.” The artist uses traditional portrait painting technique - surrounding the character with objects that help characterize him. These are the features of the Russian landscape, and a delicate shawl, and drooping rosebuds.
The portrait of Lopukhina is considered the most poetic in Borovikovsky’s work
It’s interesting that the portrait of Maria Lopukhina was used to scare young girls for a long time. The fact is that soon after painting the picture, a young woman at the age of 21 died of consumption. Many believed that the portrait seemed to have taken her life, and if the girls looked at the painting, they would also soon die.
Girl with an umbrella from Monet's paintings
Claude Monet's famous painting "Field of Poppies at Argenteuil" was painted in 1873. This painting appeared at an exhibition of the Impressionists in 1874, when they first declared themselves as a separate group. The two figures in the foreground are Monet's wife Camila and their son Jean.
Claude Monet's painting "Field of Poppies at Argenteuil" was painted in 1873
Monet painted, as was his custom, en plein air, trying to capture the atmosphere of airiness and movement. Interesting fact, which few people pay attention to: in the left corner of the picture there is another similar couple, a woman with a child. A barely noticeable path winds between the two couples.
The painting depicts two couples, one of which is Monet's wife and son
The love story of Monet and Camila was tragic: Monet’s father more than once threatened to deprive his son of his maintenance if he did not part with his beloved. They lived apart for a long time, but Monet could not last long without his family. However, the artist often asked his wife to pose for his paintings. We can see Camila both on the canvas “Lady in Green” and among “Women in the Garden”. There are also several separate portraits of Camila and their son. And when Camila died, he drew her posthumous portrait, which differs from the rest of the artist’s works.
Monet painted a posthumous portrait of his wife under the impression of her death
Impressed by the death of his beloved wife, Monet painted her posthumous portrait
The actress who charmed Renoir
Auguste Renoir, one of the most famous impressionist artists, loved and knew how to depict female beauty. Actress Jeanne Samary was his favorite model. Renoir painted 4 portraits from her, but the most famous was “Portrait of the Actress Jeanne Samary.” It was written in 1877 and is now kept in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.
The main shades used in the portrait are pink and green.
Zhanna was from a theatrical family and did not choose her field for long. She made her theater debut in the role of Dorina in Moliere's Tartuffe, and her fame grew rapidly. Before her marriage, the girl often went to Renoir’s studio and posed for him. True, she attended sessions irregularly, and this angered the artist. But he was completely fascinated by the grace of the actress, so over and over again he invited her to become his model. But her fame and happiness did not last long: she died at 33 from typhus.
Dancer with the flexibility of a snake
The famous author of “Girl with Peaches” Valentin Serov, having met Ida Rubinstein in Paris in 1910, asked her to become a model for the new painting. Before that, she posed for many artists - Kees van Dongen, Antonio de la Gandara, Andre de Segonzac, Leon Bakst, and later for Romaine Brooks.
The portrait of Ida Rubenstein was almost immediately purchased from Serov
But it was the portrait of the Russian artist that became the most famous. The painting was almost immediately purchased from the author and placed in the collection of the Russian Museum.
Serov's daughter Olga wrote that in reality Ida was not so thin at all, and the artist deliberately stylized her
Ida Rubinstein was a famous Russian dancer and actress. From 1909 to 1911 she performed as part of Sergei Diaghilev's troupe. Rubinstein was tall, but her grace amazed the audience, and she was described as a dancer “with the flexibility of a snake and the plasticity of a woman.” The roles of Cleoparta and Zobeide became her star roles. After leaving Diaghilev, she created her own troupe, in which she performed for a long time. And in 1921 she even starred in the Italian film “The Ship”.
Rembrandt van Rijn Saskia as Flora. Woman in the form of flora (flowers). This is how this picture is deciphered. Flowers in Saska's hands are like a wand. The headband looks like a crown. The woman herself is like the queen of wildlife.
Raphael Santi Madonna by Raphael. The picture is old, but beautiful. Artists highlight only the most beautiful things in their works, and this is a mother with her children. Rafael Santi decided not to be different from other artists and painted the painting "Madonna". I believe that this picture is worthy of honor and a high rating.
Rafael Santi Lady with a unicorn. The artist's imagination was elegant. To paint a lady with a unicorn, a creature that is in itself a magical creation, could not but become the subject of the venerable art of Raphael Santi himself. I think it makes no sense to talk about the beauty of a lady. This woman is excellent.
Rafael Santi. Small Madonna of Cowper. Italian painter and
architect, one of the most
great artists throughout
world history, master
Madonnas, depicted another Madonna with blond hair and a child in her arms. The simplicity of her face and gaze amazes me.
Sandro Botticelli Madonna and Child with Angels. The picture clearly shows that even the angels admire the unearthly beauty of this incomparably beautiful woman. Their hands reach out to her, like the hands of babies reach out to their mother. Angels are ambassadors of God.
Sandro Botticelli. Venus and Mars. The painting was painted in 1483. Written perhaps
commissioned by a merchant family
Vespucci. One historian has suggested that Mars is depicted with closed
eyes, as it is
under the influence
intoxicants. And whether it is true or not, no one knows.
Zinaida Serebryakova Nurse with a child. How beautiful and magnificent Russian women are. And being a mother is also a feat. Being a mother of children and always looking good is not only a great art, but also hard work.
Ivan Petrovich Argunov Portrait of Empress Catherine II. 1762 I. P. Argunov
received a responsible order
- creating a portrait
Empress Catherine II. Seeing your portrait
written by Ivan
Petrovich “by heart”, Catherine was
I'm pleasantly surprised.
Ivan Petrovich Argunov Paintings by Argunov. Portrait of Lobanova-Rostovskaya. Just look how thin her waist is. Women of that time tried to take care of their figure as best as possible. Beautiful, lush outfits decorated with precious stones look gorgeous even on the ugliest women.
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Ivan Petrovich Argunov Portrait of an unknown woman in a peasant costume. one of the most famous
works of Russian
artist. Portrait
unknown reflects interest
to peasant themes,
appeared at that time in
Russian society. Interest is caused by the origin of the author himself.
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