Mythological genre in the visual arts

Those who want to see something that was not really, can turn to the paintings of a certain genre. Such canvases depict fabulous creatures, heroes of legends and legends, events of folklore. In this manner, artists of the mythological genre write.

How to revive the picture

Undoubtedly, in order to display events that have not been seen with his own eyes, the master must have an excellent fantasy and know the plot of the work on the basis of which he is going to create. To the viewer liked the picture, we must skillfully use a brush, then the images existing in the artist's head will come to life and turn into a fairy tale in reality. Masters who can do this, have become famous all over the world. Among the famous names: Botticelli, Vasnetsov, Mantegna, Cranach, Giorgione.

Origin

Mythological genre in art appeared when people stopped believing in what their ancestors told them. Works on the subject of past events have become simple stories in which the existence of their heroes was in fact questioned. Then the artists were able to give vent to their imagination and depict the participants of ancient events on canvases as they represented them. The mythological genre in the fine arts flourished in a special way in the Renaissance. And in every century plots for creativity were different legends, the benefit of a lack of them was not. Initially, the mythological genre assumed an image of the heroes of ancient Greece and events related to their life. Gradually, in the 17th century, scenes filled with a special meaning appeared on the paintings, touching aesthetic and moral problems, close to the realities of life. And already in the 19-20 centuries the field of activity of the artist, working in such a direction, as a mythological genre, became especially wide. As the basis for the image are Celtic, Germanic, Indian, as well as Slavic myths.

Sandro Botticelli

This painter was the first who began to use the mythological genre to create works of art. Prior to it, subjects of this theme were used for decorative ornaments. Private customers have made an order, often themselves inventing what should be depicted and what kind of meaning it will carry. Therefore, they were clear only to those who bought such a job. It is interesting that the master wrote his paintings so that they were combined with any objects of furniture and life. Therefore, the unusual size or shape of his paintings is justified by the fact that in combination with the subject under which they were written, everything looked quite harmonious. Among his works are known "The Birth of Venus", "Spring". Also, Botticelli used a mythological genre in order to paint altars. The famous works of this kind include the "Annunciation of Chestello" and the Madonna and Child with John the Baptist.

Andrea Mantegna

Mythological genre in the fine arts brought fame to this artist. In particular, in this direction his painting "Parnassus" is executed. Only such a connoisseur of antiquity, like Mantegna, could create such a canvas, filled with subtle allegories, some of which have not yet been unraveled. The main plot of the picture is the love of Mars and Venus. It was they who placed the figures in the center. This is an adultery, therefore Mantegna considered it necessary to repulse the indignation of the deceived husband - Hephaestus. He left his room and stands at the entrance to the smithy, sending curses toward the couple in love. Two gods, Apollo and Mercury, contributing to the convergence of Mars and Venus, are also present in the picture. In addition, there are depicted nine dancing muses, which are capable of their singing to cause a volcanic eruption. But to the right of the center of the picture is Pegasus. This winged horse, according to legend, was able to stop the eruption, stamped his hoof.

Giorgione

The master wrote several paintings in the mythological genre. Among them, "Sleeping Venus", which the author could not finish, as in the process of creating a sick plague and died. There are still disputes about who finished the canvas. Also famous is "Judith". This picture is based on a biblical story. This topic occupied and other artists, but on the canvas Giorgione she is depicted modest, gentle and full of dignity. She steps on the head of Holofernes with her foot. This is a negative character, but his appearance does not repel the viewer, although at that time the negative characters were portrayed as ugly.

Victor Vasnetsov

The creator of the canvases on which the beloved fairy tales came to life, presents in his works a mythological genre in painting. It is not for nothing that his paintings are very popular with children. After all, they depict the heroes of all the favorite and familiar from childhood works of Russian folklore. Mythological genre allows the artist to show imagination and to depict on the canvas what he represents in his imagination. But the work of Vasnetsov so much touches the soul strings of man that find a response in every heart.

Maybe because he loved and was able to convey in his works the versatility of Russian nature. All favorite birches can not help but touch their quiet sadness. Everything that a person sees in Vasnetsov's paintings is familiar to him. Even fairy-tale characters are recognizable, although they could not be seen anywhere else. Works of the master are not just portrayed, they teach how to look like pure female beauty, masculinity and heroic strength. Therefore, his work is familiar to everyone. These are such pictures as "The Snow Maiden", "Alyonushka", "Bogatyri", "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf", "Koshchei the Immortal".

Mikhail Vrubel

Mythological genre became the basis of the work of no less famous painter Mikhail Vrubel. Everyone knows his painting "The Swan Princess", written on the motives of Pushkin's fairy tale. Although the image is completely mythological, in fact Vrubel portrayed his wife in a stage costume. She sang in opera, the scenery for which also painted her husband. Colors, which the master used, fill the image with tenderness and lightness. The author tried to convey the moment when the bird turns into a beautiful princess. This he was quite successful. Until now, the magic effect of his paintings makes many people become fans of his work.

Mythological genre is interesting, it awakens fantasy not only for the artist, but also for the viewer. And most importantly - there are many sources for inspiration, so that the spaces for creativity are endless.