Kustodiev's painting "Maslenitsa", other famous works and the artist's biography

Even those who are not too familiar with the history of Russian painting, at least once heard about Boris Kustodiev. The great artist is known not only in his homeland, but throughout the world, his canvases are sold from auctions and presented in the best museums on the planet. What was his life, and what works deserve attention in the first place?

Biography of master

Boris Kustodiev was born on March 7, 1878 in Astrakhan, in the family of a teacher of a theological seminary. A year after the appearance of his son, his father passed away and his mother, Ekaterina Prokhorovna, brought up her children alone. Since childhood, the boy was fond of drawing, and in 1887 visited an exhibition of artists, the Wanderers, where he was so impressed by what he saw that this determined his entire future life. Boris took lessons from the local painter Vlasov, and in 1896 entered St. Petersburg in the Academy of Arts. There he found himself in Repin's workshop and turned to the portrait genre. One of the earliest works - Kustodiev's painting "The Portrait of Ya. Bilibin" - was recognized at the exhibition in Munich (in 1901) as one of the best works in this direction. So the genre became decisive in the work of the painter. The academy was finished with a gold medal, then the journey through Europe and the acquaintance with the great artists were to be continued, including Kustodiev himself soon to come. Pictures, the description of which is most often associated with petty bourgeois and merchant life, will become a real treasure for someone who is interested in Russian culture of those times. In 1909 Boris fell ill with tuberculosis of the spine and spent the last fifteen years of his life in a wheelchair. Despite this, he remained cheerful and continued to work until 1927. In May 1927 the artist died in Leningrad.

Description of the picture "Maslenitsa"

The most famous paintings of the artist are related to the subjects of Russian life and everyday life. This is also true of the famous painting "Carnival". Kustodiev depicted on it the main square of a small town during folk festivities. The foreground depicts painted sledges, on which people ride, on the sides are depicted roaming ruddy townspeople and snowballing children, there is fair trade. The artist was able to perfectly convey the winter landscape, to create a stunning palette with blue, red and gold tones, complemented by turquoise and emerald. The church is also depicted in the picture, surrounded by trees. The used colors emphasize the good emotions and purity of thoughts connected with faith, with which the bright, festive picture "Shrovetide" is imbued. Kustodiev created an opportunity for everyone who looks at the canvas, to feel part of the festivities. This is an incredibly optimistic work that allows you to get to know the lifestyle of people of the late nineteenth century.

Description of the picture "Lilac"

The painter created the spring and light canvas in 1906. Kustodiev's painting "Lilac" is filled with joy and enthusiasm, the artist depicted his beloved family on it. A young wife and a little daughter are drawn against a backdrop of lush lilac bushes that grew in a front garden near the house. Julia Kustodieva is dressed in fashion of those times - in a lush white dress, which emphasizes a slender silhouette. She is holding a daughter in her white dress with blue stripes. Kustodiyev's painting not only perfectly conveys his affection for the family, but also embodies the very weather of that day-the flowering of the lilac in the sun's rays is depicted with astonishing accuracy and harmony.

Description of the picture "The Merchant of Tea"

The canvas, depicting a Russian woman with a burly figure and a kind smile, can be called the key in the life of the master. This picture Kustodieva is familiar even to those who have not heard about his work. The canvas shows a tea party, there is a large samovar on the table and dishes with fruits, pies, jam, white bread are on display. Behind are the scenes of Moscow: shopping arcades, monasteries, white-stone church. In the picture, you can note a slight irony - a magnificent and good-natured merchant woman with a feast causes a smile in the viewer. In addition, there is a deep symbolism in work - it was written in 1918, at a turning point, when it seemed to many that Russia would never be the same, and its national features disappeared. The merchant in this context becomes an image of a traditional way of life that will never disappear.

Description of the painting "A Merchant Counting Money"

Like others, this picture of Kustodiev is dedicated to Russian people and scenes from life. The canvas is depicted on the canvas, the expressiveness of whose face is impressive. He has a firm and confident look, he knows how to work and is very stubborn, if not greedy. The gesture of his hand, holding money, emphasizes the impression. But there is no negative in the portrait. It was the merchant class that developed the economy of Russia at that time. The country was in first place in the world in 1913, and without such people as the old man portrayed in a portrait, this would simply be impossible. Genre scenes with the features of the portrait genre can Kustodiyev perfectly - as well as "The Merchant of Tea", this work vividly reflects the work of the painter.