Departure into Russian realism

The Tretyakov Art Gallery in Moscow

There was the early 15th century painting of the Trinity by Rublev. There were the three figures taken from Christianity. The backdrop was in beige and white, representing faded and washed out walls of the past. Next was Archangel Michael and this icon too dated from 15th century. The figure was dressed in blue and red, while the background was fragmented. Dimitry Levitsky brought in the portrait of Countess Ursula Mniszek. This was decorative and richly realistic. It presented a high society lady with expensive lace and silk in blue and white, set off by a dark background.

Vasily Tropinin's painting presented a simple working woman, with details of her work. It was a depiction of everyday life with an eye for detail and a desire to see beauty in everyday life. Alexander Ivanov's shows the appearance of Jesus Christ with people in the forefront peering to see his coming. The people were depicted as both resting and standing. They were shown in detail whereas as the main subject was miniscule in comparison, and he appeared to merge with the trees, grass and the sky at the back.

Vasily Perov's Seeing off the dead man brought in a horse sledge with two figures hurrying off to carry the corpse home. There are trees in the background and side along with dirty gray slush of driven snow. The figures were surrounded by streaks of gray and black. The next painting, The boat-pullers, brought in a moving depiction of seven men wading through the waters and towing home a boat. The men with their hair pulled to the back looked fearsome, tired and scowling with weariness. As the men waded through the water, there were three boats in the distance. The water, boats, trees and sky were all streaks of gray.

The next painting brought forth a happy picture of swarthy soldiers writing a letter to the Sultan of Turkey. Many of the characters had shaven heads, walrus mustaches and laughing faces. There was also a portrait of the famous king, Ivan the Terrible. Pavel Fidotov's portrait of a lady introduced a woman playing a musical instrument which appeared like an organ. She was dressed in rich blue and sported a head full of chestnut curls. Fidotov's Engagement of a major was also interesting in theme and details. The Rape of Europa and the depiction of Ilya, Dobrikya and Alesha brought in myths and legends.

The realistic details were a wonderful departure from the spate of abstractions one normally sees in the city today.