A. Pushkin on the act in the Lyceum on Jan. 8, 1815 Ilya Repin (1844-1930)
Ilya Repin – A. Pushkin on the act in the Lyceum on Jan. 8, 1815
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Painter: Ilya Repin
January 1815. The Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum held its first examinations, on passing which the Lyceum students could proceed to the next course. Everything takes place in an atmosphere of solemnity and many guests are invited. The action takes place in a large hall of the Lyceum. All the guests - parents of pupils, academics - are gathered here. Among the guests is the poet Derzhavin, who has come to examine Russian literature. In the center of the picture - the young Pushkin, reading his own poem about Tsarskoe Selo.
Description of Ilya Repin’s painting "Pushkin at Tsarskoe Selo".
January 1815. The Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum held its first examinations, on passing which the Lyceum students could proceed to the next course. Everything takes place in an atmosphere of solemnity and many guests are invited.
The action takes place in a large hall of the Lyceum. All the guests - parents of pupils, academics - are gathered here. Among the guests is the poet Derzhavin, who has come to examine Russian literature.
In the center of the picture - the young Pushkin, reading his own poem about Tsarskoe Selo. The fact is that the exam in Russian literature included a recitation of his own work. Pushkin, a short, curly-haired teenager, embodies dynamism, liveliness. The poem is read with passion, with active gesticulation.
Many of the guests are in full dress uniform. There are also military - only a few years have passed since 1812, and everything is still fresh in memory. Derzhavin, a tall gray-haired man in a red uniform, stood up to hear the young poet better. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, Derzhavin is over seventy, he has very little left to live. Secondly, it’s a passing of the baton from an old poet to a young one.
The picture is done in light bright colors, conveying the dynamics of movement, life, a passion for poetry.
The painting "Pushkin in Tsarskoe Selo" was commissioned by the famous artist Repin to the centenary of the founding of the Imperial Lyceum. To make it as realistic as possible, the Lyceum students of the early 20th century staged that very exam in 1815 especially for the artist.
Repin approached the case with maximum responsibility. Thus, to create the image of Derzhavin he had to study the two-volume "Life of Derzhavin," a complete collection of works by Derzhavin himself, his diaries. The work on the picture continued for several months, and, according to his friends, by the end of the work he himself could be mistaken for a Pushkinist.
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COMMENTS: 4 Ответы
О эта божественная картина!!
Старик Державин нас заметил, и в гроб, сходя, багословил
Красиво!
Essay on the Painting:
The painting A. S. Pushkin at an Assembly in Lyceum on January 8, 1815 was painted by Ilya Repin in 1887 and has since become one of the most famous works by the artist. This work is a striking example of Russian painting of the 19th century, where the artist used his characteristic elements of realism to create an image of the legendary hero Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.
The painting depicts Pushkin standing on the stage of the Lyceum before his performance. He is dressed in a traditional poets costume of that time – a black frock coat and a white shirt with a bow tie. In his hands, he holds a sheet of paper with a poem that is to be read at the formal assembly.
The Lyceum was an educational institution founded on the initiative of Emperor Nicholas I in the early 19th century. The Lyceum was intended to prepare young nobles for university and military service. Education at the Lyceum was free and lasted six years.
Pushkin studied at the Lyceum from 1811 to 1817. During his studies, he demonstrated outstanding abilities and became one of the most talented students of his time. In 1814, Pushkin wrote his first poem, To a Friend Poet, and then began writing poems such as Ruslan and Lyudmila and The Caucasian Captive.
In 1817, Pushkin graduated from the Lyceum and received his high school diploma. After that, he continued his education at St. Petersburg University, where he studied literature, history, and foreign languages. In 1820, Pushkin was arrested for participating in the Decembrist revolt, but soon released and sent into exile in southern Russia. There, he continued to write poetry and engage in literary activities.
The painting A. S. Pushkin at an Assembly in Lyceum on January 8, 1815 has become a symbol of Pushkins creativity and talent, as well as a reminder of the importance of education and culture in a persons life.
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A young man, dressed in military attire, stands prominently in the foreground, gesturing animatedly with his right arm. His posture and expressive hand movement suggest he is delivering a speech or reciting poetry – an act of performance intended for this assembled audience. He commands considerable visual weight, drawing the viewer’s eye immediately to him.
The hall itself is characterized by classical architectural elements: tall columns, ornate moldings, and large windows allowing diffused light to flood the space. The depth of the room is conveyed through a receding perspective, populated with numerous figures in varying degrees of focus. These individuals are dressed in formal attire – a mix of military uniforms and civilian clothing – further reinforcing the sense of an official or celebratory event.
The artist’s use of color contributes to the overall atmosphere. The deep red of the table cloth provides a stark contrast against the lighter tones of the walls and figures, emphasizing its importance as a focal point. The warm palette generally evokes a feeling of warmth and formality.
Subtleties within the painting hint at deeper meanings. The positioning of the young man, slightly off-center and actively engaged, suggests an individual rising above the established order or challenging convention through his performance. The varied expressions among the seated figures imply differing opinions or reactions to this performance – some approval, others indifference, perhaps even subtle disapproval. This creates a sense of complexity beneath the surface of the formal setting. The overall impression is one of a pivotal moment – a young man’s public debut within an environment steeped in tradition and authority.