Inconsolable grief

Ivan Nikolayevich Kramskoy • Painting, 1884, 228×141 cm
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About the artwork
Art form: Painting
Subject and objects: Genre scene
Style of art: Realism
Technique: Oil
Materials: Canvas
Date of creation: 1884
Size: 228×141 cm
Artwork in selections: 64 selections

Description of the artwork «Inconsolable grief»

"Inconsolable grief" Kramskoy wrote four years. In a short time he lost two sons and these tragic events have led him to the creation of the painting. When the work was completed, the artist realized that he depicted so genuine and really inconsolable grief that buyer to find wonder – your living room this canvas hardly anyone wish to decorate. Kramskoy wrote Pavel Tretyakova letter with a request to take up this work as a gift. Tretyakov refused to take the picture as a gift, but bought. Money Kramskoy was very helpful.

It is noteworthy that as a painter Kramskoy this work have been satisfied. He knew that it should have its purpose, and even said: "If this picture doesn't sell, I most peaceful way turn to the wall and forget about it, I did my job".

The image of the heroine of the picture he showed my wife. In the process, changed her posture, and she seemed to have aged, while writing the picture. Famous sketches, in which she is grasping the curtainand sitting on a chair.

The final version is very restrained in expression of feelings, and perhaps because we are so deeply touching, in spite of the complete absence of external effects. There are no dead children's body, no parent tantrum nor comforting relatives. Only a desperate, silent, inconsolable grief. Heartbroken mother stands motionless, pressing her handkerchief to her lips, – he's probably wet from tears, because her eyes are swollen, reddened, but now the tears ended, and the woman fell into the depths of grief, even when crying does not work. Her eyes fixed in front of him, strands of gray today had not seen a comb. A woman dressed in a simple black mourning dress.

It makes a distinct feeling of a dead silence, which emphasizes hanging behind her, the picture, which is easy to identify "Black sea" by Aivazovsky. "The spirit of God hovering over the abyss"so Kramskoy described his impressions from the Grand Marina. She found it necessary to put into this silence of parental grief, which even the sea was silent. Table with books under the painting seems to be an echo of another life, came death.

Artificial wreath on the planter box stands out inappropriate brightness in this black, minimalist space. He is the word emphasizes the atmosphere of confusion reigning in the picture. Other impressive flowers in pots on the floor. Stretching up Tulip and daffodil symbolize the fragility and frailty of human life and at the same time, seem to promise the triumph of life over death. To see him is not easy, but those running up the stems – is.

The open door, into which fall the rays of the sun, in this case worry – soon it will make the coffin, and emptiness reigns here permanently.

Author: Alain Esaulova
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