For firmware Vasily Tropinin (1776-1857)
Vasily Tropinin – For firmware
Edit attribution
Download full size: 1061×1326 px (0,2 Mb)
Painter: Vasily Tropinin
Album navigation:
Tropinin was born and grew up in Novgorod Province. He received his education in an ordinary folk school. Even in his early childhood his artistic abilities showed themselves. However, Count Morkov saw fit to send Vasily Tropinin to learn the confectionery business. But a genius everywhere manages to break through and develop his talent. So it happened with Tropinin - he enrolled as a free listener at the Academy of Arts in St.
ArtClub
Best Contemporary Atists
Description of Vasily Tropinin’s painting "The Lady Behind the Stitches"
Tropinin was born and grew up in Novgorod Province. He received his education in an ordinary folk school. Even in his early childhood his artistic abilities showed themselves. However, Count Morkov saw fit to send Vasily Tropinin to learn the confectionery business. But a genius everywhere manages to break through and develop his talent.
So it happened with Tropinin - he enrolled as a free listener at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. At one of the exhibitions held by the Academy of Arts, his work was noticed by Empress Elizabeth Alexeyevna. As a consequence, the Count decided to take Vasily away from the Academy and sent him away from St. Petersburg and the Academy to another of his estates. Here he was sent to do a variety of rough work, but Vassily did not despair.
Thanks to his persistence and hard work, in 1824 he managed to get the well-deserved title of academic portrait painter. The immediate success he brought his work, in which he portrayed young girls at work. The painting "Behind the Stitches" was the third of this series, which brought the artist a high social status. On the canvas we see a depiction of a young woman holding lace in her hands. Her face is covered with blush, she is dressed poorly, but with taste, you can tell by her clothes that she is a city dweller. This is not a serf servant girl, but the capital bourgeois.
Tropinin’s works had a great influence on the future work of many Russian painters. Today, works by Vasily Tropinin are kept in many museums and art galleries of the Russian Federation.
You cannot comment Why?
Her attire consists of a high-necked dress with puffed sleeves, typical of early nineteenth-century fashion. A delicate lace collar adorns the neckline, adding a touch of refinement to the ensemble. The fabric’s texture is convincingly portrayed through brushwork that captures its folds and drape. Her hair is styled in an elaborate updo, emphasizing her forehead and drawing attention to her eyes.
In her hands, she holds what seems to be a small, rectangular object – possibly a book or a writing box – clasped tightly between her fingers. This gesture introduces an element of introspection and perhaps even restraint. The placement of the object in front of her body creates a barrier, suggesting a guardedness or a desire for privacy.
The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and muted greens – which contribute to the overall somber mood. Light falls primarily on her face and upper torso, highlighting these areas while leaving the background in relative darkness. This technique directs the viewers attention towards the subject’s countenance and reinforces a sense of intimacy.
The painting conveys an impression of quiet dignity and inner strength. The woman’s direct gaze suggests self-awareness and resilience, while her clasped hands hint at underlying anxieties or suppressed emotions. It is likely that this work aims to portray not merely physical likeness but also the sitters character and psychological state.