The painting by V. Serov “The Girl Illuminated by the Sun” does not particularly require a description. At first glance, the plot of the canvas seems understandable, and bright colors fascinate the eye. However, some aspects of creating the picture still need a more detailed explanation.
The story of the creation of the picture
The spring-summer period of 1888 V. Serov spent in the estate Domotkanovo of the Tula province. The estate belonged to a friend and colleague of the artist Vladimir Derviz, married to Serov’s cousin Nadezhda. There was also present the future model of the canvas - the younger sister of the mistress of the estate, Maria Simonovich. A young portrait painter, yearning for work, decided to capture the young cousin against the backdrop of a play of sunlight.
Maria, who herself loved to draw, gladly agreed to help her brother in creating the picture. For three long months she relentlessly posed for an artistic description. The picture of V. Serov “The Girl Illuminated by the Sun” was later destined to become the author’s favorite canvas. Even before his death, once again admiring his brainchild, Serov sadly noticed that he could not create anything of the kind in the future.
Verbal description of the painting by V. Serov “Girl illuminated by the sun”
The main idea of ​​the author when creating the canvas was the exact transmission of the game of sunlight. Fascinated by the unique nature on the one hand, and the sincere naivete of the person of the model on the other, V. Serov sought to convey to the viewer the unique interplay of sun glare and cousin's radiant eyes. The result exceeded all the artist’s bold expectations: the figure of a girl, frozen at the foot of a mighty tree, exudes calm and inspiration. The life-affirming beauty of the canvas is expressed with the help of a juicy and clear coloring of shades.
A brief description of the painting by V. Serov “Girl illuminated by the sun” consists in displaying the plot of the canvas. The background of the lush landscape of the estate in Domotkanovo is illuminated by the summer solstice. The summer motif is emphasized by the richness of colors in the yellow-green palette. A young girl tired of the heat lurked in the shade of a tree. However, even the lush crown of trees could not completely hide it from the rays. But, despite this, the entire figure of the model speaks of immense calm and tranquility. It would seem that Mary’s naive, almost childish look conceals a deep wisdom and firmness of conviction. The young woman seemed to merge with nature, spiritualizing it. “The Girl Illuminated by the Sun” is a true anthem of Russian pristine beauty.
Location of the artist's work
Even during the life of V. Serov, the painting was bought by a famous philanthropist and admirer of works of art Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov. The price of the canvas at that time was worth a lot of money - as much as 300 rubles. The collector placed the work in his gallery. There it has remained to this day. Muscovites and guests of the capital have a unique opportunity to see the canvas in the State Tretyakov Gallery.
Listening to the guide’s story, his description of V. Serov’s painting “The Girl Illuminated by the Sun”, the excursionists seem to be immersed in an atmosphere of joy and calm happiness, which is filled with the image.