KP Bryullov and AS Pushkin. Portrait of an unknown author

Bryullov and Pushkin met in Moscow, in the fall of 1836 they often met in Petersburg. Their relationship, personal and creative, did not last long, less than a year, but it was a fruitful friendship, which was cut short by the death of the poet. After the death of Pushkin, Bryullov sketched his monument, thought of taking part in the publication of his works and painted many sketches of the frontispiece, and in 1849 - a picture based on the "Bakhchisarai fountain".

The history of a small portrait of Alexander Pushkin

In 1880 in Moscow, at the Pushkin exhibition, one small picture attracted the attention of visitors: "A. S. Pushkin ». The portrait, made with oil on cardboard (12.0 x 8.5 cm), was written by K. Briullov, because on it along the character's shoulder was the name of the artist painted in red. This picture was also reproduced in the released album.

After 19 years, when the same exhibition was first exhibited "A. S. Pushkin ", a portrait of the work of OA Kiprensky, previously stored in the son of the poet, in a small work against the author's name there was already a question mark. There was an opinion that the signature "K. Bryullov "- roughly made a fake and copies not an autograph of the artist, but a signature under a certain lithograph from one of the master's works.

Later on, on the basis of documentary data, the Pushkinists, in particular NO Lerner, who published an article in 1914, "L'vryullovsky's portrait of Alexander Pushkin," argued that Bryullov never painted Pushkin's portrait, although he intended to. Since then, a small work of art entrenched a pejorative name, gradually forgotten about it. For a long time he stayed in a private collection, and then he acquired the Literary Museum in Moscow. In 1959, the "L'vryullovsky" portrait was transferred to the newly created Moscow Museum of AS Pushkin.

A small portrait - an etude to the painting of Kiprensky (?)

But if not Bryullov, then who was written by Pushkin? The portrait, called "L'vareellovsky", was long regarded as belonging to the pen of an unknown artist. After many years, an attempt was made to prove the authorship of O. Kiprensky.

Comparing the documentary evidence, the manner of writing and other details, the adherents of this version came to the conclusion that this is the sketch of his famous painting - "A. S. Pushkin »(portrait, 1827).

Between the two works there are quite understandable differences. Etude - this is the moment of life, captured by the artist. Pushkin here is different - different mood and facial expression. There are differences in the writing of individual details, but the peculiarity of the picturesque manner and the generality of the composition prove that the author of the portrait of Pushkin (etude) is OA Kiprensky.

Comparing historical facts, supported by documentary evidence, it can be assumed that the work could be performed by the artist in the period from May 26 to July 15, 1827.

Why did not Bryullov paint a portrait of Pushkin?

It seems strange why a famous painter and portraitist who personally knew Pushkin did not paint a portrait of his peer, a brilliant poet.

Bryullov created many paintings, on which he captured his contemporaries: Russian writers, artists, architects, public figures. But Pushkin is not among them. The remaining evidence of friends and pupils of the artist say that he was going to paint a portrait of the poet, but did not have time to do it.

However, some researchers of creativity KP Bryullov believe that Pushkin was not his hero. The painter was a master of the life-affirming "happy portrait" and wrote people in moments of inspiration or excitement. The drama of the poet did not fit into the concept of creativity Bryullov, because "did not have time" he painted a picture. This is only one of the assumptions, there is no direct proof.

Afterword

It would be unfair not to mention that the version presented here about the authorship of a small portrait of Alexander Pushkin is just one of many. For example, the art critic E. Pavlova holds the opinion that the portrait was still written by Bryullov, and leads in defense of this his own, no less interesting arguments. Studies continue, and there are still many unsolved mysteries. Perhaps, future generations will be more fortunate.