Riders. Doubles portrait of Mussard and E. Mussard. Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799-1852)

Description of Karl Bryullov’s painting The Horsemen

The painting was painted in 1849.

Style in painting: romanticism, portrait genre. The painting was painted on cardboard, using charcoal, varnish, watercolor and Italian pencil.

Briullov left us a creative legacy of his paintings. His portraits evoked much emotion among artists in past centuries. They do not leave the viewer indifferent even after almost two hundred years.

In the painting "Horsemen" Briullov portrayed the portrait of you I. Mussard and E. Mussard. The equestrian theme and riders have always been one of the favorite subjects in the paintings of all the artists of the world. The love of painters to horses is due to the extraordinary power and grace of the animal. They have always walked side by side with man. The theme of riders is fascinating because the man saddled on a powerful horse, as if becoming more militant, the grace of the horse and rider is unsurpassed.

Depicting the noble ladies and gentlemen riders, artists have brought to us the traditions and lifestyles of past generations. Bryullov was one of the best authors of this subject. We can see the luxury of the clothes, the stature, the beauty. The canvas "Riders" was painted in Madera. He created several other portraits in Italy.

The painting depicts a Mussar couple. They are walking through the area and enjoying the views. The work is filled with particular brilliance and glamour. The faces of the couple are pronounced. The artist has depicted the Mussard’s wife sitting gracefully on a horse, she is beautiful. Emilia’s smile adds to her charm. Her husband looks around proudly. The painting is considered a gem of Bryullov’s works.

Also catching the viewer’s eye is the horse, which also stands proudly, restrained by the rider’s hand. For his canvases, the artist always used horses of noble breeds. This work by Bryullov stands among the major works in world art. The painting is done with skillful subtle translations of colors. At an exhibition in 1851, the work "Riders" was called "Amazons.

The painting is in storage at the State Tretyakov Gallery. Moscow.