Fedor Rokotov: biography and creativity

It takes just a couple of centuries, and the life of the creator is dragged out by the fleur, and now we do not know in detail how Fyodor Rokotov lived, his biography disappears behind the veil of time. Historians, art historians rediscover the illustrious painter, whose name thundered in the time of Catherine II.

Brief information about the artist's life

Fedor Stepanovich Rokotov (1735-1808) was a descendant of serf Prince P.I. Repnin. In his village Vorontsovo near Moscow, in the south-west was born a future artist. He was lucky: it was a relatively liberal time, when talents were searched and fouled. So I.I. Shuvalov, collecting talented young men for training at the Academy of Fine Arts, found a diamond of clean water. It was Fedor Rokotov, who in 1760 painted a portrait of his patron. It was at his house that his first lessons were taken by a young painter under the direction of Pietro Rotari. Shuvalov not only noticed him, but also grew it. The Academy has not yet opened.

Acquaintance with Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov

When the young Fyodor Rokotov wrote an outstanding scientist, communication with him undoubtedly influenced the formation of the personality of the young man. The canvas is written in Rokotov's favorite red and green colors. The great enlightener is depicted in a scarlet coat on the background of a velvet green drapery. The scientist is depicted with the attributes of the work. In his hands he holds a pen, and on the table in front of him is a sheet of paper. His pensive look is directed upwards. It is thanks to this work of the artist that we know the face of a scientist.

In Petersburg

Presumably, the first known work, written in 1775 by Fyodor Rokotov, an artist, (photo shows Picture-self-portrait) was "Portrait of an unknown young man in the guards uniform," which suggests that Rokotov himself served. The service was required to get the rank and with it the nobility. But in the Academy the future artist began to study since 1760. His successes were noticed. In 1762 he was trusted to write a large ceremonial portrait of Peter III. After this work, Fedor Rokotov enters the first stage at the Academy. He becomes an adjunct, a teacher. The next rank will be an academician. Two portraits became standard. The first was written in 1763, after the coronation of Catherine II, for his writing, Rokotov was specially taken to Moscow. The portrait of the Empress is very decorative. The sculptural profile and chest are clearly distinguished against the background of noble brownish-burgundy draperies. And the fresh and young lady herself, like an exotic flower, is placed on the throne with scarlet upholstery. She has all the prescribed regalia: a crown, a scepter and a power. I liked Catherine II very much. Two copies were made from it.

Count G. Orlov

The favorite of the empress, an influential grandee, handsome man Grigory Orlov is depicted in a jacket with gold embroidery, over-putting on an armor. He with scarlet ribbon stands on the background of the sky, in which azure flashes. Orlov is like a disguised ancient god. In 1765, the painter wrote a copy of the painting "Venus, Cupid and Satyr" and becomes an academician. He does not lack customized portraits and writes them. His works are very different from anything created by foreign masters who work in Russia in the eighteenth century in the style of rococo. However, the Academy prohibits free work on the side. Therefore, in 1775, Fyodor Rokotov left the northern capital forever. When viewing the works of the early period, it becomes clear that the colors are still colorful and too contrasting, and the drawing is too hard.

Fedor Rokotov: biography and paintings

In 1778 Prince Repnin dies. It is assumed that the artist left the inheritance in three years he will buy an estate on Basmannaya for two thousand six hundred rubles. Because Rokotov could not make money quickly. The artist took for work extremely low payment - a hundred or even fifty rubles. The workshop was simply racked with the abundance of orders. Now Rokotov firmly established himself in Moscow. The Moscow society enthusiastically meets the young well-known portraitist, a well-defined master who wrote several intimate male portraits in St. Petersburg. Among them one can single out a portrait of IG. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, the uncle of the famous commander, or IG. Orlov, a clever and sophisticated nobleman. Portraits of the St. Petersburg period differ in their interest in the peculiarity of the appearance of the model and its psychological characteristics. In the portrait of VI. Maikova for the effeminate appearance, behind the eyesight, for the grin on the beautiful lips one can guess the ironic mind and insight of the poet who created the famous satirical poem "Elisha". The face is written almost palpably. The palette of the picture combines red and green tones, which further emphasizes the full-bloodedness of the image created by the artist.

Fedor Rokotov: biography and creativity

And the turbulent social life is boiling in the capital. Mason N.I. Novikov deploys a network of printing houses, where translated and domestic literature is printed. Novikov is trying to ensure that its publications at a price were available to even the poorest sections of society. Buying from him one book, the second person gets free. Trade is brisk and not at a loss, while the circle of readers is expanding. Rokotov wrote a magazine, "Morning Light", which had a Masonic direction, which was published by Novikov. However, the information that the artist himself was a freemason, no, as there is no Masonic paraphernalia in his works. In Moscow, play plays playwright AP. Sumarokov. And the poet M.M. Kheraskov formed a literary circle. In this spirit of freedom and enlightenment, views on the world and artistic creativity of the master are formed. In Moscow, Rokotov was accepted as an equal, and he became a member of the English Club.

Style of Rokotov

In the 70's, Fyodor Rokotov created his own creative handwriting. The artist often writes portraits of an oval shape. They, as a rule, represent the upper part of the body of the model. The figure is almost never given directly, only with a slight twist. The painter pays special attention to the eyes and facial expressions. It is fleeting. The master catches the elusive - the feelings of a person, transferring them to the canvas. In the basis of color, Fyodor Rokotov, an artist of the 18th century, usually takes three colors. The richness of the shades, their game, the subtlety of the color scale are designed to convey the complex inner world of the model. Chiaroscuro is distributed in such a way that the face "floats" first of all, the rest of the details are immersed in the twilight, the models mysteriously and mysteriously look at us, slightly narrowing their eyes.

Creative flourishing (1770 - 1780)

Especially deep and full of the artist in his 35-45 years was able to reveal female images. They are full of mystery and mystery. Here is an image of V.E. Novosiltseva. Majesty, dignity, self-confidence - everything is transferred by the painter. Eyes with a light "rokotovskim" squint are mocking, as are the lips combined in a light smile. Carefully written out her translucent white dress, ruches and a bluish satin bow. The light figure of the model emerges from the dark background and approaches the viewer.

E.V. Santi and VN Surovtseva

1785 - the time of the creation of the image of the Countess Elizabeth Vasilyevna Santi, who successfully married and took a high position in society. Pale thin face, lips with a slightly outlined smile. A beautiful rose adorns the hairstyle of a lady, long earrings emphasize the beautiful face oval, exquisite greenish-pink, with the ashy shades of the range of her dress - everything speaks of the calm self-confidence of this indifferent, ironic and cold aristocrat. The artist's color decision is flawless. Charming, young, with a simple Russian face, full of dignity and secret tenderness, Varvara Nikolayevna Surovtseva appears before the audience. Here the spiritual beauty of a young woman is presented, which fascinates more than her features.

Generalizing in the paintings of Rokotov

Each portrait is individual. He visibly transmits the facial features of the woman he portrays. But the main and general is the transfer of a complex spiritual world, wealth and beauty of inner life, an exalted system of human feelings. When the artist reveals the sacredness of the soul, there always remains an understatement, mystery and mystery. This gives the images a special poetry.

Men's portraits

The ideal of the man of the Age of Enlightenment expressed in them an artist - honor and dignity. As the best representatives of the nobility intelligentsia, among them are the poet A.N. Sumarokov and gifted diplomat of the Catherine's epoch A.M. Scraps, who was the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. The image is especially interesting in that it shows an energetic, intelligent and shrewd person. The deep and noble mind of the poet, fabulist and dramatist Sumarokov is visible on his face. He is in disgrace, and the expression of contemptuous bitterness reflects his feelings.

About Rokotov in general, almost no information. There are no notes or private correspondence with him. About the last few years it is only known that he lived in Moscow without interruption and was buried by his nephews (the artist was not married) in December 1808 in the Novo-Spassky Monastery.