Years of life: 1727. - 1797g.
The fate of this remarkable painter of dramatic. Serf of Count II. B. Sheremetev - one of the richest men of his time, the owner of the famous Fountain House (St. Petersburg) and Kuskovo near Moscow - and. P.
Argunov belonged to a talented family of serfs intellectuals - artists and architects. All my life
Argunov had to perform many household duties. Was the manager of the houses (in fact, palaces) P. B. Sheremeteva first in St. Petersburg, then in Moscow. Of course, unlike many Russian artists,
Argunov never knew want, but could it replace the freedom? All his life he experienced the duality of his position: on the one hand - a recognized artist, on the other - disenfranchised slave. But already in 1750-ies.
Argunova prestige was so great that it is to his studio sent his disciples "sleeping with the voice" of the court chapel choir A. P. Losenko, K. I. And Golovachevsky and. S. Sablukov, future academics painting. Apparently, in 1746-47 he.
Argunov studied with G.-X. Groot, court painter of the Empress Elizabeth. In any case, in 1747, Mr.. Groot, along with a young painter of icons for the church fulfills the Great Palace of Tsarskoe Selo.
Icons
Argunov wrote and later. But his main vocation was a portrait. In 1750, Mr.. the artist completes the ceremonial "Portrait of Prince and. I. Lobanov-Rostovsky, in 1754-m - pairing him as "Portrait of Princess E. A. Lobanova-Rostov ". Especially good portrait of Princess. It is a bit tough on enforcement, which, however, it is natural for the young artist, when the desire for thoroughness and completeness of execution is not connected with the freedom and ease. However, it is this rigidity in combination with built in shades of cool colors color (blue and silver ornaments dress, powdered hair, ermine mantle) gives a portrait of a kind of fragile beauty. In the future
Argunov will write smoother and technically perfect, but remain committed to the accurate and clear pattern, exquisitely restrained color and calm, attentive, friendly attitude to their models. So quiet and appears to us very
Argunov on a self-portrait (c.. 1760; Timing may be on display as "Portrait of an unknown sculptor," and paired him a portrait of M. N.
Argunova, 1760-s, - as "Portrait of an unknown sculptor's wife").
The portraits of the couple to. A. and X. M. Khripunova (1757), people close to the family Sheremetyevy and probably good friends of the artist, it creates a new type of intimacy for Russia (chamber), a portrait. My husband is depicted with a newspaper, the wife of the book. It means that the formation of a married couple: a woman reading in Russia in the middle of XVIII. still a rarity.
Naturally,
Argunov repeatedly Sheremetyevy portraits (Portrait of Count II. B. Sheremetev with a dog, "1753;" Portrait of Count II. B. Sheremetev ", 1760, and paired him" Portrait of Countess. A. Sheremetev ", mid 1760's, etc.). Among them stands out "Portrait. P. Sheremetev "(1766), which represented the youngest daughter of Peter Borisovich, charming, round-faced girl in a dress embroidered with flowers. Wrote artist and "historical" portraits of the ancestors of their masters - Marshal B. P. Sheremetev, Prince A. M. Cherkassky. Wrote and empresses - Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine II.
But the more famous "Portrait of Kalmyk Annushka" (1767). Favorite pupil in. A. Sheremetev, dear girl, is holding an engraved portrait already late wife. In the middle of the XVIII century. among the Russian aristocracy was the fashion for kalmychat as before - at arapchat.
In 1768, Mr..
Argunov creates one of his best works - "Portrait of Tolstoy". Middle-aged woman with an intelligent, calm face is depicted with her knitting in her hands, which makes a surprisingly intimate note to the front of the type of portrait.
1760-e gg. - The time of creation
Argunova. But at the end of their P. B. Sheremetev moved to Moscow, and the artist Millionnogo appoint the manager of his home in St. Petersburg, which imposes on
Argunova lot of new responsibilities. In 1770-80's. He wrote little, but at this time it appears perhaps the most famous work - "Portrait of an unknown peasant in Russian Costume" (1784) - the first of its kind in the Russian art. Perhaps, indeed shows a woman from the common people, possibly a nurse, in ethnographically accurate attire peasant Moscow province (and not an actress in theater "ceremonial" dress, as some researchers).
In 1788, Mr..
Argunov appointed manager of the Moscow House Sheremetyevy. In Moscow, he almost does not work as an artist. Engage in economic affairs. Trains his sons (Paul - the architect, Nicholas - a painter, Jacob - painter and graphic artist). Participates in the construction of the famous palace-theater in Ostankino (architect. P. I.
Argunov).
Biographies
- Biography and. P. Argunova, his portrait and a selection of paintings on the portal "Culture of Russia".
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Portfolio
- One of the works and
. P. Argunova can be found in the section "Russian Art" on a private page, George Mitrevski (Auburn University, USA).
