The Painting Rokotov “Portrait of the Stream”


When looking at a portrait, you readily believe that it is an “Angel descended to earth.” Rokotov left us a portrait of a beautiful woman, with a slightly sad look, she seemed to “go away” and think about something. everything in this portrait is harmonious – and black, brooding eyes, a line of eyebrows, a calm smile.

One of the best portraitists of the eighteenth century, Rokotov was a mysterious man. The riddle is already his origin: he was born in the family of serf Prince Repnin, according to the metric record he is listed as “freeborn.” Prince Repnin had several illegitimate children, but he gave them the name Pnin.

Rokotov quickly became known as a magnificent portraitist, was a member of the intellectual elite of that time – he was friends with Lomonosov, with Count Shuvalov – president of the Academy of Sciences. Lomonosov and introduced the artist Elizabeth Petrovna. Shuvalov ordered to take Rokotov to study

at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.

As a magnificent portrait painter Rokotov painted many portraits, such as portraits, for example portraits of Elizaveta Petrovna, a portrait of Catherine II in a ceremonial coronation garment, a portrait of Peter III, and “intimate”. Portraits of the poet Maykov VI and the portrait of Alexander Struyskaya are among the “intimate” ones.

The portrait depicts an eighteen-year-old woman, the second wife of a Penza landowner NE Struysky. The landowner adored his wife, wrote and dedicated a lot of poetry to her, which, however, did not stop him from engaging in assault. However, he personally defiled serfs, who then treated his wife, “Angel, descended to the ground” – so they talked about her. In total, eighteen children were born in this family.

When looking at a portrait, you readily believe that it is an “Angel descended to earth.” Rokotov left us a portrait of a beautiful woman, with a slightly sad look, she seemed to “go away” and think about something. everything in this portrait is harmonious

– and black, brooding eyes, a line of eyebrows, a calm smile. Heavy spit runs down his shoulder, his neck and the top of his chest are bare. A dress made of lightweight fabric, precious pendants and fasteners complete the outfit.

Highly beaten in front of dark hair form around the face of a halo, ruddy cheeks full of charm. There is a portrait of Struiskaya in old age. But this portrait was painted by another artist and it depicts a completely different, tired woman with an extinct look and a lifeless face. Through what tests did I have to go to the “Angel descended to the earth” in order to change so much? Fortunately, we do not know.


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The Painting Rokotov “Portrait of the Stream”