Portrait of A.S. Pushkina, Kiprensky – description
Description of the picture:
Portrait of A.S. Pushkina – Orest Adamovich Kiprensky. 1827. Oil on canvas. Sixty three x 50 four cm
This portrait of the great Russian poet is definitely considered one of the best lifetime images. A special charm and attractiveness is assigned to him by the fact that the painter always painted his paintings only from nature, because the accuracy of the image can be completely trusted. In addition, the master is considered the best Russian portrait painter of those times, with indescribable skill reproducing not only small details, but also skillfully conveying the character’s spiritual experiences.
The painting was commissioned by Pushkin’s close friend, the recognizable poet Anton Delvig, only three years before his untimely death. He insisted that in the background appeared the image of Muse in the form of a small ancient bronze sculpture holding a lyre in his hands. This reference to Pushkin’s occupation is intended to hint that in the painting the poet is depicted in the process of creation, immersed in his own consciousness when he was visited by the muse. More on the canvas there is not a single detail that distracts the attention of the audience from the inspired face of the poet.
The background is a golden brown, rather light backdrop that slightly brightens around the poet’s head. This technique assigns a volume to the picture and fills it with air, making the image more accurate, beautiful. For us, who know perfectly well what future actions will turn out for Pushkin, this light outline seems to be a hint of the halo of the sufferer.
On the canvas, Pushkin is depicted as a real dandy. He is very elegant, even sophisticatedly dressed in a coat of smooth black fabric, a boiled-white shirt, from which only a piece of the collar is visible, and a chic raincoat with a fine lining in a Scottish plaid. In fashion since then, he was casually thrown over his shoulder. A wide silk tie is tied to the neck, whose soft satin radiance pleasantly sets off the dullness of other materials. It becomes clear that the majestic Pushkin was also an excellent dandy.
But most of all the poet’s face draws attention to itself. For all his “African” ugliness, his appearance is unusually attractive, and the painter was able to convey this professionally. He has very clear, spotless eyes, an expressive look, looking away from the viewer and as if looking deep into himself. A complete illusion is being created that specifically at the moment, in our eyes, the great poet is thinking over his yet another excellent composition, which will immortalize his name.
The artist’s ability to convey the general, without disregarding small details, is impressive even for a lot of modern spectators. It is worthwhile to pay attention to the completely polished and carefully filed nails of the poet, who always “thought about the beauty of nails”, as well as to snow-white, tender and sleek hands. In the portrait, each element matters, even the masterfully written green and reddish cells of the lining of the cloak. Pushkin’s lush hairstyle and his large curly whiskers are just as scrupulously depicted. The image seems so natural that it seems as if you can reach out and feel their density, elasticity of a glossy, well-groomed and neatly laid curl.
Apart from the checkered lining of the poet’s cloak, the color palette of the painting is quite restrained and generous, sustained in soft black, brownish tones. Against this background, the poet’s face seems very bright, vibrant and expressive. Of course, this portrait is one of the best paintings of the artist, the most expressive portrait of Pushkin and the real pearl of the museum. With his skill and talent as a portrait painter, the painter not only made an indescribably clear and beautiful portrait of the great Russian poet, but also forever immortalized his own name, preserving it for the history of art."