Contemporaries of the painter argue that most of the work done by Ivan Ivanovich Firsov, came at the disposal of churches, cathedrals and theaters. Often panels of this artist could be found in the interiors of houses of wealthy families. However, literally a few of his works have survived to our times, one of which is the painting “Young Painter”. Moreover, several interesting and mysterious events are connected with its history, as well as with the life of the creator himself.
I. I. Firsov: biography
The exact date of Firsov’s birth is not known, but he was born around 1733 in Moscow, in a merchant family. Both Ivan Ivanovich's father and grandfather were directly related to art - they were engaged in art woodcarving and jewelry. It was from them that the talent in the field of painting passed to the heir.
As soon as it became clear that young Firsov had a very clear predisposition to this type of activity, the family council decided to send him to work in St. Petersburg. Upon arrival, the future artist was identified for finishing work, where he was engaged in decorating buildings and palaces.
At the age of 14 (at this age) Firsov enters the service of the Office of Buildings, while studying and developing his talent as a painter. The talent of Ivan Ivanovich could not go unnoticed - his work delighted Catherine II herself, and she insisted on his further studies, and not just anywhere, but abroad, in France.
In 1756, Firsov entered the Royal Academy of Paris , and there he was largely inspired by the work of French painters. The greatest influence was exerted on him by Chardin, who writes canvases depicting genre plots: Ivan Firsov's painting “Young Painter” is most consonant with the work of this Parisian realist.
Upon his return from France (period 1758-1760), I. I. Firsov became a court painter. He gained fame mainly as a result of decorative design with his own hand written panels for various performances and productions. A little later, Ivan Ivanovich became one of the main employees of the Directorate of the Imperial Theaters.
Unfortunately, very little is known about the last years of the painter's life. In this regard, comparing some historical data and the dates of mention of Firsov, experts claim that he died after 1785. According to some facts, the artist could well have ended his days in the house for the insane, since at the end of his life he suffered from some mental deviations.
Ivan Ivanovich completed a sufficient number of works, both by order of the leadership, and for the nobles. However, little has survived to our times. The painting "Young Painter" at the same time talks about what talent Firsov possessed, and in the same way does not allow you to deeply feel all that which was imbued with his creations. Undoubtedly the only thing: this is a true masterpiece in the field of genre painting.
Description of the artwork “Young painter”
The composition on the canvas is simple and interesting at the same time. Three figures are in the spotlight: the youngest painter, the little girl and her mother. A boy in a blue uniform sits on a chair, putting one foot on an easel, and draws a portrait of the baby opposite him. Despite the seemingly relaxed posture, he is focused and passionate about his occupation.
As for the youngest model, dressed in a pink dress and a bright cap, she is ready to run away and look to do more interesting things. Such a trait as embarrassment also shows in her pose - she pressed herself against her mother, who gently took her daughter by the head. The woman herself with one hand at the same time holds and calms the little egoza, and the second edifyingly threatens her finger. However, there is not even a shadow of tension - the apparent severity of the mother is not at all serious.
In addition to the people themselves, in the room, flooded with soft light, there are also some objects inherent in the workshop of each artist: a bust, a mannequin, a box with brushes and paints, a couple of paintings on the wall.
Pastel colors that have not lost their freshness over time, the atmosphere of a cozy and calm routine - this is what you can complete the description of the painting “Young Painter”. Its plot was conveyed with incredible cordiality, as evidenced by the fact that the canvas was not written to order, but "for the soul", under the influence of certain feelings.
History of the painting
The painting "Young Painter" was completed in about 1768 in Paris. This canvas opens the next series of works in a similar genre. At the time of writing “Young Painter”, in addition to Firsov, some paintings by Shibanov and Eremenev, telling about the life of peasants, can be considered similar works.
By the way, until the beginning of the 20th century, it was believed that this painting was not created by Firsov at all. “Young painter” is a painting by A. Losenko, as the signature of the same name on the front tried to testify. However, art historians did not calm down until in 1913, during the examination, a decision was made to eliminate the aforementioned surname, under which the name of I. I. Firsov was discovered.
At the moment, the painting "Young Painter" is stored in the Tretyakov Gallery, where it got thanks to the founder of the museum, the merchant Pavel Tretyakov, who bought the canvas from a collector by the name of Bulls in 1883.
Household painting as a genre and attitude to it
The Russian Academy of Arts, at the time Firsov wrote his famous work, we can say, did not recognize the genre of everyday life as a kind of painting in full, considering it base. Perhaps this fact is also the reason that the work spent a long time in the workshop in which Ivan Firsov worked.
Despite this, the painting "Young Painter" still saw the light and is now considered the most striking example of the genre of the 18th century, and its value only increases from this.
Painting in Russian painting
The main difference of the canvas is its some distraction. It is written with love, not obeying any universally recognized laws of the classics. The depiction of a scene from ordinary life, without embellishment, excessive rigor and observance of canons - this is what art historians characterize the painting "Young Painter". People do not pose, they are charming in their simplicity, which was completely not characteristic of Russian fine art of that time.
That is why for a long time no one had any associations with the fact that this work could be done by the hand of our compatriot. Specialists in the field of painting confirm that the painted picture is not so connected with the events in Russia in the 18th century. in spirit, which creates a vivid impression of atypicality and immediacy.
Other paintings by I. I. Firsov
However, the work in question is not all that Firsov left to us. “Young painter” is a painting by the hand of this master in his genre, one can say lonely, but there is one more preserved painting. It is called "Flowers and Fruits" and is a decorative panel, previously housed in the Catherine Palace. Both works were written in completely different styles, but nevertheless they belong to the brush of Ivan Ivanovich, testifying to the versatility and extraordinaryness of his talent.