Portrait of the poet Vasily Zhukovsky. 1837 Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799-1852)

Description of Karl Bryullov’s Portrait of Vasily Zhukovsky

Bryullov quite rarely turned to portrait painting. But even when he did, his works were always characterized by an astonishing simplicity of presentation of the hero.

And on this canvas we are presented with the great Russian poet Zhukovsky. The same Zhukovsky, who shocked his contemporaries with the simplicity of the lyre. He, incidentally, much later would become a personal teacher of the children of the Romanov family. But this is a little later than the time when this portrait was painted.

The artist did not invent a background, but it was necessary somehow to designate the direction of the life of the person he was portraying, and that’s when the idea appeared to depict the poet sitting at the table. And here before us is Zhukovsky. His face, a little full, quite laconic, calm. And in general, there is something pacified about this man.

At first sight and do not tell that this ruler of human thoughts and educator of royalty. There is no pathos in this pose, quite the contrary - simplicity, a quiet look, and humbly folded hands.

Serenity, complete calmness comes from Zhukovsky and self-confidence.

Briullov, according to accounts of contemporaries, managed to convey exactly the most characteristic features Zhukovsky - calmness, moderation in life, self-confidence. Zhukovsky created a lot, wrote great poems and was quite fruitful in the education of royal children. And by the way, he did it magnificently: it was thanks to him and his successful selection of knowledge that at least two emperors received a brilliant elementary education.

In fact, Zhukovsky himself was a brilliant erudite, knew not only Russian literature, but also spoke good English and French and knew the basics of history. And, of course, he was a member of the literary Olympus of the capital, which, by the way, was not far from Pushkin.