And you are familiar with at least several of their paintings. But when it comes to impressionism with Russian roots, it turns out that most of our contemporaries have a very vague idea of ​​what shoots these roots gave. With realism - everything is in order here! Russian artists showed truthfully... angrily denounced... called with their paintings... and so on. Undoubtedly, they showed, and denounced, and called, but they also felt and conveyed sensations in their works. The work of many Russian painters is directly related to impressionism, and their work is world famous. art criticism recognized as bright and worthy examples of this trend.

One of the very first paintings created in this direction in Russia was a portrait of Vera Mamontova, which is known as “Girl with Peaches.”

Valentin Aleksandrovich Serov entered the chronicles of Russian painting as a wonderful landscape painter, a master of canvases on historical and everyday themes.

But a special place in the list of the artist’s paintings includes his numerous portraits.

Famous statesmen and literary and artistic figures, society ladies and very young girls, charming children and images of the wise life experience people – from their faces, framed, you can create an entire art gallery.

But if we imagine that a huge number of these portraits were not created, but only one was painted, then even then the artist’s name would not be “lost,” because such a face simply cannot help but pay attention.

"Girl with Peaches", which is called one of the most famous paintings in Russian painting, Valentin Serov wrote when he was only 22 years old. It was the summer of 1887, the artist had recently returned from a trip to Italy, bright impressions of the sunny country, amazing architecture and brilliant Italian art filled him up. He wrote:

"IN this century they write everything that is difficult, but I want, I want, joyful things, and I will write only joyful things.”

The estate of the famous Russian philanthropist Savva Mamontov, Abramtsevo, has always been such a “pleasant” place for the artist. In this family, Serov was known and loved since teenage years, his friends came there to paint the most beautiful surrounding landscapes, and the very atmosphere of the hospitable manor’s estate was conducive to creativity.

For the next painting, the artist chose a very young model - the daughter of the owner of the house, Vera Mamontova. The twelve-year-old girl was not a beauty, but her face with bright lips, dark “currant” eyes and a delicate blush simply begged to be painted. In working on it, the artist used techniques characteristic of impressionism: plein air painting, a subtle color palette, light pouring from the windows, which creates a luminous halo around the figure sitting at the table.

But in this work there are not only techniques - they would not be worth much without the most important thing - Valentin Serov managed to convey a momentary feeling of happiness, youth, the joy of being. Looking at the picture, one gets the impression that this is a randomly snatched “frame” from life, seen by the attentive and friendly eyes of the artist: that a maple leaf was fluttering on a branch just recently, that a peach with a ruddy side will soon be eaten, and the tablecloth was wrapped on the table because that there are small children in the house who could pull her down to the floor. The master’s “living” brush captured just one moment of the wonderful summer day and the serene life of a teenage girl. Art critic Mark Kopshitzer very accurately said about this feeling:

“...life continues outside the picture and constitutes the beginning of what is not included on the canvas big world, where there are chairs, and tables, and other peaches, and other girls"

The painting was highly praised by critics, who were unanimous in the opinion that it was painted in the tradition of impressionism, and a master of European caliber appeared in Russian painting. The artist gave this painting to Vera’s mother, and it hung for a long time in the very room where the painting was painted. It is currently exhibited at the Tretyakov Gallery.

Vera Mamontova subsequently had to pose for great painters more than once. So, two of her portraits were painted by the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov.

Unfortunately, this wonderful woman passed away early, at the age of 33. Her husband, leader of the Moscow provincial nobility, and then chief prosecutor of the Holy Synod, Alexander Dmitrievich Samarin, had a hard time with the loss. He remained faithful to Vera until the end of his life, and in memory of her he built a temple in the village of Averkievo Life-Giving Trinity V XVII style century.

Many members of the famous Abramtsevo circle took part in its design; for example, the tiles were made according to sketches. Currently, this is one of the many operating churches in the Moscow region.

The painting “Girl with Peaches” is the beginning of the fame of the Russian artist V.A. Serova. The artist painted it in 1887. Now it is in the State Tretyakov Gallery. This work was created with difficulty; the work took more than 3 months, although it seems that the painting was created quickly.

But what makes her so attractive? Maybe, main secret This painting lies in the fact that the artist was able to convey the thrill of a fleeting moment, while giving it completeness.

Biography of Serov

The painter was born on January 7, 1865 in the family of composer Alexander Nikolaevich Serov. Valentin began to get involved in art from the cradle. Moreover, his father is free time was fond of drawing. He showed early talent and observation, and his surroundings only intensified his interest in creativity. Although at that time the boy could not even imagine that he would paint such a brilliant picture as “Girl with Peaches.” He was always a modest young man.

When Serov matured a little, I.E. began to teach him. Repin. The first lessons took place in France, then in Moscow, and then in Abramtsevo. A little later, Repin went with him to Zaporozhye, after which he recommended that the future painter enter the art academy to study with the popular Chistyakov. Later, his abilities were able to impress many. He also painted such paintings as:

• "Horse Bathing"
• "In winter"
• "Children" and others

Who did the artist depict in his brilliant painting?

This picture appeared by chance; Vera Mamontova was loved not only by her relatives, but also by many representatives of the bohemians who were under the wing of her father. She was a restless, sociable and lively girl, whose relaxedness was impossible to resist. Even at that time she had an uncertain attitude towards Valentin.

The artist painted the portrait of Vera when he was only 22 years old. He was only 10 years older than her. Acquaintances who came to visit Savva were amazed at how Serov managed to keep this nimble girl in place. He named his painting briefly and simply - “V.M”. The painting became a discovery for a huge number of people at an exhibition in 1887.

Viewers even today cannot say for sure who the painter depicted - a girl who matured early or an attractive woman.

How do you feel when you look at the painting?

When you look at this work, you see a tanned and lively girl with huge dark eyes. You can see a hidden light in them. She looks piercingly at the viewer in a bright and spacious room. On the table lies a silver knife that sparkles on a white tablecloth. Verochka’s dark face is set off by the overall bluish color of the picture, but this coldish tone is softened by peaches and leaves, and completed by a major red bow on her chest.

Looking at the heroine of the picture, it seems that she only sat down at the table for a minute. The furnishings of the room depicted on the canvas are very comfortable, so there is a feeling of protection from all the misfortunes of the surrounding world. That's why then this brilliant picture Thus she was able to amaze the Moscow public and become a treasure of Russian painting.

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One of the most famous women's portraits appeared in Russian painting due to a happy coincidence. Valentin Serov visited the estate Savva Mamontov, when his daughter, twelve years old, ran into the house, inflamed by a street game Vera Mamontova, and picked up a peach. The young artist invited the girl to pose, and almost two months later “Girl with Peaches” appeared, embodying the author’s idea. Nine years later, Serov painted another portrait of Vera Mamontova, calling it “Girl with a Maple Branch.” Vera’s features appeared more than once in his works, but the fate of the “girl with peaches” herself was extremely tragic: at the age of 32 she fell ill with pneumonia and died.

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Sometimes it is better not to know the life history of the prototypes of characters in famous works. The girl with the peaches actually lived only 32 years (she died of pneumonia), her husband never remarried, and three children remained. The future in the eyes of the heroine of Valentin Serov’s film cannot be read. It's not even clear from her that she is the daughter of a rich industrialist

1. Girl. The mischievous character of Vera Mamontova can be read both in her sly gaze and in the fold of her lips - you’ll laugh at any moment. Disheveled hair, a blush all over her face, and a glowing earlobe indicate that she has just been running around the yard. And in a minute he will jump up and run further. However, this was her first experience of posing for a long time. Art critic Eleanor Paston says: “It is believed that Vrubel gave her external features to “The Snow Maiden,” “The Egyptian,” and Tamara in the illustrations for “The Demon.” Vera Savvishna was eventually nicknamed the “Abramtsevo goddess.” Vasnetsov also painted her portraits (“Girl with a Maple Branch”, “Hawthorn”).

2. Blouse. Vera is wearing casual clothes, although decorated with a bright bow. The loose blouse seems a little baggy and too childish for an 11 year old girl. The fact that she does not change clothes specifically for posing emphasizes the spontaneity of the situation and the simplicity of the relationship. The pink blouse becomes the brightest and most festive accent of the picture, and it seems that the light comes not only from the window, but also from the heroine.

3. Room. The scene is the Mamontovs’ dining room in the Abramtsevo estate, one of the enfilade rooms.

4. Table. A lot of people always gathered around the large extendable table - family members and friends. Eleanor Paston says that Serov often worked here.

5. Peaches grown in the Mamontov greenhouse. The family bought trees for her from the Artemovo and Zhilkino estates in 1871. The peaches were grown by an Artemovsk gardener, whom the Mamontovs invited to their place after he sold them the trees.

6. Maple leaves. Serov completed work on the portrait in September. The yellowing leaves outside the window and on the table are evidence of the girl’s long patience. In addition, autumn maple leaves next to summer peaches seem to remind you: life is fleeting, and you should be happy while you are young and the sun is shining.

7. Grenadier. The toy wooden soldier in the left corner is a product of Sergiev Posad artisans. According to Elena Mitrofanova, Deputy Director for Science at the Abramtsevo Museum-Reserve, the Mamontovs bought the toy from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in 1884. The figurine was unpainted; Serov painted it. The Abramtsevo Museum even has a sketch of the painting made by the artist. The Grenadier still stands on the nightstand in the same corner.

8. Red living room. The neighboring room, part of which is visible on the left, is the so-called Red Living Room, where writers and artists, friends of the Mamontovs, gathered. There they read by role the works of Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, played music, and discussed.

9. Chairs. The Mamontovs inherited good-quality mahogany chairs from the Aksakovs, along with the tradition of artistic gatherings. Those two that stand by the window - with lyre-shaped backs - were very fashionable in early XIX centuries, and at the end of it they already turned into antiques. A Jacob style chair is visible in the Red Drawing Room. Similar furniture with strict straight outlines, with gilded brass inserts, appeared in Russia under Catherine II. In Abramtsevo both the lyre chairs and the Jacob, which still stands in the Red Drawing Room, have been preserved.

10. Window The dining room, like the terrace adjacent to the Red Living Room, opens onto Abramtsevo Park, onto the alley named Gogolevskaya in honor of the writer who loved to walk here. It is clear that the window frames are far from new; the paint on them has peeled off in some places. This adds naturalness to the picture and a feeling of that coziness that can only be experienced within the “native walls”.

11. Plate. Savva Mamontov was fond of applied arts. In 1889, he even opened a pottery workshop at the estate, in which ceramic products were created using the majolica technique. In particular, Vrubel was involved in this. The fate of the plate, depicted by Serov two years before the opening of the workshop, is unknown, but it fits so harmoniously into the interior that later another majolica plate, this time from the Mamontovs’ workshop, appeared on the same wall. It still hangs in the dining room in this place.

On an August day in 1887, 11-year-old Vera Mamontova, distracted from street games, ran into the house and sat down at the table, grabbing a peach. Her cheerful appearance impressed Valentin Serov so much that he invited the girl to pose. The artist knew the model from infancy. He often visited and even lived for a long time at the Mamontovs’ Abramtsevo estate, which they bought from the daughter of the writer Sergei Aksakov in 1870. Even under the Aksakovs, the estate was the center of Russian cultural life. Under the Mamontovs, the traditions continued. Turgenev, Repin, Vrubel, Antokolsky stayed here... Abramtsevo was both a “house of creativity” and a place where friends gathered in an atmosphere of home comfort.

Serov was first brought to Abramtsevo by her mother-composer in 1875. He grew up with the older Mamontov children, constantly enduring their pranks. The younger Vera also made fun of young Serov. Everything changed in 1887, when the 22-year-old artist returned from Italy, inspired by sunny landscapes and Renaissance masterpieces. Then Serov, according to his recollections, was in a daze in his head and the desire to “write only what is gratifying.” Until recently, the artist was an involuntary participant in Vera’s games, and now the one whom until now no one could force to sit still, posed for him for hours every day for almost two months. On the girl’s part, it was a tribute to close family relationships. And the painting was “a kind of gratitude from Serov to the warmth and comfort of the Mamontovs’ house, which became a second family for the artist,” says Doctor of Art History, Senior Researcher Tretyakov Gallery Eleanor Paston.

“There are creations of the human spirit that outgrow many times the intentions of their creators... Among these... we must include that amazing Serov portrait. From the sketch of “a girl in pink”... it has grown into one of the most remarkable works of Russian painting.”, - artist Igor Grabar wrote about the painting.

Valentin Serov gave the painting to Vera's mother, Elizaveta Mamontova, and for a long time the portrait was in Abramtsevo, in the same room where it was painted. Now a copy hangs there, and the original is exhibited in the Tretyakov Gallery.

V.A. Serov was born in Northern capital January 7, 1865 (old style), his father was the famous composer Alexander Nikolaevich Serov. Even from the cradle, the future creator began to become involved in art. By the way, his dad often drew in his spare time.

Serov's exceptional powers of observation and talent for painting awoke early, and his surroundings only fueled his interest in art. But at that time the boy did not yet suspect that from under his brush would come the brilliant painting “Girl with Peaches.” The artist grew up without dreaming of fame. He was generally distinguished by modesty.

Training with Repin and Chistyakov, universal recognition

When the future artist matured a little, I. E. Repin himself began to work with him. First, the lessons were held in the capital of France, then in Moscow, and then in Abramtsevo. Some time later, Repin went with his ward to Zaporozhye, after which in 1880 he advised him to enter the Academy of Arts to study with the famous P. P. Chistyakov. Soon, as was to be expected, the young talent won everyone's admiration, his abilities impressed everyone.

P.P. Chistyakov spoke very positively about Serov, he said that it was the first time he had met such a gifted young man. The artist's comrades claimed that he had a lot good qualities such as sincerity and directness.

Creating brilliant paintings

In Abramtsevo, Serov painted a picture that later became famous - a portrait of little Vera Mamontova called “Girl with Peaches.” This was in 1887. The artist said that he wanted the picture to be finished, but at the same time fresh, as was the case with the old authors. And, without a doubt, he succeeded. However, he did not try to describe the painting “Girl with Peaches” in words. Why, if admirers of his talent could see everything themselves? A year later, a picture depicting his cousin was painted in Domotkanovo. He called the work “Girl illuminated by the sun.”

Such masterpieces as “A Woman with a Horse”, “Striguns”, “October” were also created there. In addition, the artist made illustrations for Krylov’s works.

Marriage

In 1887, a marriage was concluded between Valentin Serov and Olga Trubnikova. Subsequently, they had several children and lived quite happily. Valentin Aleksandrovich in children, happily painted their portraits. At that time the artist was already famous. Everyone was aware that “Girl with Peaches” was a painting by Serov.

Observation

In the 90s, the artist received many orders from famous people. After the creation of portraits of M. F. Morozova and S. M. Botkina, demonstrated at an exhibition in the capital of France, the new period in the master's work. The artist’s acquaintances said that many were afraid of Serov, since he was very observant and always gave a person an objective assessment. Some even accused the master that his portraits looked like caricatures. However, Serov claimed that he never set himself the goal of drawing a cartoon - he writes what he sees. And if there is something caricatured in a person, then it is not his fault - he just noticed it and brought it out.

A new milestone in creativity

The revolution that occurred in 1905 significantly affected the life and work of the master. It was at this time that his mature personality was formed - a sensitive citizen. He depicted the Cossacks’ attack on helpless people, wrote a number of political cartoons and several paintings on similar themes. This was a little unexpected for everyone. The author of the painting “Girl with Peaches” created canvases on themes that were fundamentally new to him.

Painting "Peter I"

In the 1890s-1900s, the master recalled bygone times, about national history. He felt some nostalgia. Peter's heroic time, extraordinary and to some extent cruel, occupied all of Serov's thoughts. In 1907, the painting “Peter I” was created. The Emperor, on his long legs, stern and impetuous, walks towards the stormy wind. The people accompanying him seem to have just arrived from the carnival. Their robes, lifted by the wind, look quite unusual.

People follow Peter with all their might, trying not to fall and stay on their feet. In the confident gait of the emperor, in the raging river, in the clouds moving across the sky, in the high masts of ships - in everything one can feel the striving for change, which invariably brings the strong-willed, active and brave people. However, at that time many were more interested in analyzing the painting “Girl with Peaches” than in this painting.

Creation of the paintings “The Rape of Europa” and “Odysseus and Nausicaa”

At the end of the spring of 1907, the artist went to Greece, which left a mark on his heart for the rest of his life. The ancient classics amazed Serov - in it he saw true harmony and beauty. The master wanted to perpetuate what he saw and embody the spirit glorious history, the sophistication of the legends of Hellas. Serov created the painting “The Rape of Europa”, as well as several versions of “Odysseus and Nausicaa”.

“Girl with Peaches”: description of the painting

In 1887, the artist created a painting that later became his most famous creation.

Young Serov was visiting Savva Mamontov, who lived in Abramtsevo. We often visited his house creative personalities, and everyone paid attention to the sweet girl Vera - she was charming. Serov was no exception - he depicted her in his painting.

The artist painted twelve-year-old Vera for three months. Now this seems surprising, since it seems that the canvas was created in a short moment, in one impulse. This picture looks a bit like a photo taken hastily to make sure the camera was working. This is the interesting impression left on many who look at the painting “Girl with Peaches.” The description of the picture would be incomplete without this interesting fact.

A tanned girl sits at the table. She is wearing a light robe, decorated with a bow. The girl has just come running from the street, her nostrils are slightly dilated - she is breathing quickly, her cheeks are pink from running. She sat down only for one minute - she had no time, she was in a hurry again, because the weather outside was beautiful, and she really wanted to take a walk in the garden.

Verochka cannot sit idle with her hands folded. She needs to move, that’s her essence. So she grabbed a peach so that at least her fingers would not be idle. She absolutely needs movement. IN this moment the girl is in a lively state. This is noticeable in her dark, expressive eyes and open gaze. The sweet girl with peaches delights with her overflowing vitality. must necessarily include

The whole room is full sun rays, which freely penetrate from the street and illuminate Verochka and the old furniture in the room. There is a knife on the table, as well as peaches. All of the above sparkles and stands out noticeably against the background of a light tablecloth. The room seemed to have woken up and was expecting something.

The bluish shades of the canvas give Verochka’s tanned face some coldness, but the peaches are painted in warm colors - they make the picture more pleasing to the eye. You should also pay attention to the leaves and the girl’s blouse. The artist also depicted them as quite warm. These soul-warming shades are what makes the painting “Girl with Peaches” so attractive. The description of the painting may arouse someone's interest in it.

The canvas makes an optimistic impression. The painting depicts a celebration of life and youth. The artist achieved this effect by resorting to some Impressionist tricks. Thanks to the trembling strokes, the canvas seems deeper; they emphasize shadow and light, demonstrating a special brightness.

Picture-story

From Serov’s painting we learn a lot about Verochka, because all her emotions and impulses can be read by her facial expression. Verochka's sincerity, her harmonious relationships with nature and the surrounding world made the painting “Girl with Peaches” the most famous portrait of all time, because the artist not only depicted a child, he created a story about life. Well, how can one not admit that Serov is a real talent?

Now you know the history of the painting “Girl with Peaches”. It is best to view this painting in a museum - this way it will make a stronger impression. You can look at other paintings by Serov, because they are no less brilliant. It turned out that “Girl with Peaches” eclipsed all the artist’s other works, and many remember him as the author of one painting, which is a bit of a shame. It is necessary to fill the gaps in knowledge and get acquainted with all of Serov’s paintings, especially since there are all the conditions for this. The artist's works are delightful and deserve attention, and none should go unnoticed.