Boyar wedding feast in the XVII century

Russian artist Konstantin Makovsky asked Pavel Tretyakov for "Boyar wedding feast in the XVII century" 20 thousand rubles. Unimaginable price in those days! Tretyakov refused, that did not upset the artist. Unlike many of his contemporaries, for it light a wedge on the Tretyakov did not converge. And he successfully sold "Boyarsky feast" American jeweler Schumann for 60 thousand. And the buyer was ecstatic and immediately ordered another canvas "The choice of the bride Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich" (1887) - and launched the production of postcards with reproductions of the "Feast".

"Boyarsky feast" first in the house of Konstantin Makovsky presented in the form of so-called "live pictures". So much fun was extremely popular at that time in high society. The participants were divided into teams, and each showed a beautiful piece, which rivals had to guess. Play this in the house of Julia and Konstantin Makovsky was particularly interesting: what surroundings he for similar businesses enough, and warm, comfortable atmosphere have attracted into their living room a lot of interesting people. Happen at Makovsky became in some way a matter of prestige and still very enjoyable pastime. And Konstantin Makovsky's "living pictures" were not only fun, but also a tool, a creative tool. He often reversed the elements of the game, and at first made a picture in your mind, then recreated with the guests, this performance was photographed, and then Makovsky wrote based on pictures picture. This was the case with the "knights feast". With this large canvas and began the stage of the famous "boyar paintings" Makovsky, which often was preceded by the creation of "tableaux" (1, 2, 3).

Experts note a high degree of historical accuracy in the picture Makovsky clothes, furniture, accessories, decor in General. In front of us – the wedding ceremony in Russia in the XVII century. As the bride made the artist's wife Yulia he is shown in the image of the groom. Beside him at the table sits their son Seryozha. Richly decorated halls filled with luxurious trunks, precious cups, luxurious kitchenware. Show us one of the key moments of a wedding feast, a final celebration: the introduction of traditional food "the Swan". And before the young at the plate of fried chicken. The fact that by tradition newly-married couples at the wedding was not supposed to eat. And only at the end of the meal they were sent to the bedroom, handing the chicken to the reinforcement forces. Judging by the distraught girl's face and laughing guests, young just give "tips" about behavior in the bedroom.

Author: Alain Esaulova