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Portrait of Prince Alexander Borisovich Kurakin
Vladimir Borovikovsky • Painting, 1801, 259×175 cm
Description of the artwork «Portrait of Prince Alexander Borisovich Kurakin»
"Portrait of Prince Alexander Kurakin" the work of Vladimir Borovikovsky often and deservedly called the vertex of the Russian ceremonial portrait. And, as a rule, then quote the words from a poem by Gavrila Derzhavin:
On the splendor, as you dazzle!
And master crazy peacock.
Indeed, the picture we see the richly dressed nobleman majestic. Pampered in luxury face, condescendingly mocking look, easily identifiable passion for indulgence. Kurakin in this picture appears to us in a brilliant (in all senses) garb. His chest can serve as a guide to explore the highest Russian and foreign orders. Why, even the buckles on his shoes – obviously and glaringly brilliant. The concentration of luxury blinds. No wonder Potemkin called Kurakin Great Prince, and soon to this definition stuck addition Diamond.
In this case, the attributes that make a portrait. He could be written out of the Palace of the situation, outside a lush outfit. To the right of Kurakin marble bust of the Emperor, in the background the residence of Paul I, Mikhailovsky castle. We see here the movements of the soul of the hero of the picture. Before us by the Vice-Chancellor and statesman – attract the attention of the state seal and paper on the table. That is the main task of the ceremonial portrait. The French art theorist Roger de piles described the message that carries formal portrait: "Look at me! I am a great statesman, who knew all the springs of the state machine, because there is the great monarch".
However, with the picture of a man is not so clear. Contrary to popular belief, call of Alexander Kurakin "peacock crazy" would be unfair. Kurakin do not know to itself equal in passion for Epicureanism and pleasure (he left about 70 children) and love of luxury. However, he was magnificent (and here – gorgeous!) diplomat and man of honor. Kurakin has made reasonable efforts to dissuade Napoleon from the idea to go to war with Russia. When he failed, he was removed from office the Russian Ambassador to France, deciding that as a diplomat did not take place.
Alexander Kurakin is highly appreciated your images. He wrote many well-known artists – both Russian and foreign, for example, Louise Vigee-Lebrun, Alexander Roslin, Jean-Marc Nattie.
Yes, and Borovikovsky not once wrote "brilliant" of a statesman. Survived amusing correspondence Kurakin relatively his first portrait Borovikovsky. The Prince wished to order a copy of the Polish artist Pawn. The pole asked for 600 rubles, about Alexander Kurakin wrote indignantly: "What's that? I won Borovikovsky 700 rubles paid, and this asks for a copy of the 600! There in Moscow and other artists".
"Portrait of Prince Alexander Borisovich Kurakin" for a long time kept in the estate of the Transfiguration of the Oryol province – the ownership of Prince Alexei Kurakin, brother of the hero of the picture. Soviet authorities nationalized the estate. The picture was sent first to the national Museum Fund, and in 1920 – in the State Tretyakov gallery, which is to this day.
Author: Alain Esaulova
On the splendor, as you dazzle!
And master crazy peacock.
Indeed, the picture we see the richly dressed nobleman majestic. Pampered in luxury face, condescendingly mocking look, easily identifiable passion for indulgence. Kurakin in this picture appears to us in a brilliant (in all senses) garb. His chest can serve as a guide to explore the highest Russian and foreign orders. Why, even the buckles on his shoes – obviously and glaringly brilliant. The concentration of luxury blinds. No wonder Potemkin called Kurakin Great Prince, and soon to this definition stuck addition Diamond.
In this case, the attributes that make a portrait. He could be written out of the Palace of the situation, outside a lush outfit. To the right of Kurakin marble bust of the Emperor, in the background the residence of Paul I, Mikhailovsky castle. We see here the movements of the soul of the hero of the picture. Before us by the Vice-Chancellor and statesman – attract the attention of the state seal and paper on the table. That is the main task of the ceremonial portrait. The French art theorist Roger de piles described the message that carries formal portrait: "Look at me! I am a great statesman, who knew all the springs of the state machine, because there is the great monarch".
However, with the picture of a man is not so clear. Contrary to popular belief, call of Alexander Kurakin "peacock crazy" would be unfair. Kurakin do not know to itself equal in passion for Epicureanism and pleasure (he left about 70 children) and love of luxury. However, he was magnificent (and here – gorgeous!) diplomat and man of honor. Kurakin has made reasonable efforts to dissuade Napoleon from the idea to go to war with Russia. When he failed, he was removed from office the Russian Ambassador to France, deciding that as a diplomat did not take place.
Alexander Kurakin is highly appreciated your images. He wrote many well-known artists – both Russian and foreign, for example, Louise Vigee-Lebrun, Alexander Roslin, Jean-Marc Nattie.
Yes, and Borovikovsky not once wrote "brilliant" of a statesman. Survived amusing correspondence Kurakin relatively his first portrait Borovikovsky. The Prince wished to order a copy of the Polish artist Pawn. The pole asked for 600 rubles, about Alexander Kurakin wrote indignantly: "What's that? I won Borovikovsky 700 rubles paid, and this asks for a copy of the 600! There in Moscow and other artists".
"Portrait of Prince Alexander Borisovich Kurakin" for a long time kept in the estate of the Transfiguration of the Oryol province – the ownership of Prince Alexei Kurakin, brother of the hero of the picture. Soviet authorities nationalized the estate. The picture was sent first to the national Museum Fund, and in 1920 – in the State Tretyakov gallery, which is to this day.
Author: Alain Esaulova
