Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov is a vivid representative of socialist realism in painting. He became famous for portraits depicting party leaders. But there are in his work very lyrical works, landscapes, still lifes, images of Russian life. Thanks to them, the artist Gerasimov is known today . “After the rain” (description of the painting, history of creation, means of artistic expression) - this is the topic of this article.
Gerasimov A.M .: biographical information
Gerasimov A.M. Born in the family of a merchant from the city of Kozlov (modern Michurinsk) of the Tambov region on August 12, 1881. In this town he spent his childhood and youth, he loved to come here when he became a famous artist.
From 1903 to 1915 he studied at the Moscow Art College, immediately after which he was mobilized to the front, the First World War was on. From 1918 to 1925, the artist lived and worked in his hometown, and then returned to Moscow, joined the association of artists and a few years later became its president.
Gerasimov A.M. survived periods of ups and downs, was loved by the artist Stalin, received a large number of professional awards and titles. And in the time of Khrushchev fell out of favor.
The artist died in 1963, 3 weeks before his 82th birthday.
Creative way of the artist
Gerasimov studied with the largest painters of the late XIX - early XX centuries - K.A. Korovin, A.E. Arkhipova, N.A. Kasatkina. At the beginning of his career, he painted mainly pictures of national life, portrayed Russian nature with its modest and touching beauty. During this period, the following were created: “The Rye was Mowed” (1911), “Heat” (1912), “A Bouquet of Flowers. The Window ”(1914).
In Soviet times, the artist turned to the portrait genre. Gerasimov showed a talent for surprisingly accurately capturing the characteristic features, achieving great portrait similarity. Gradually, among the heroes of his paintings, high-ranking people, party leaders and leaders: Lenin, Stalin, Voroshilov and others began to prevail. His paintings are distinguished by a festive mood and are not without a few poster pathos.
By the mid 30-ies of the XX century, the artist became the largest representative of socialist realism in painting. In 1935 he left for his hometown to take a break from work and spend time with his family. It was in Kozlov that A.M. wrote Gerasimov "After the Rain" - a picture that brought him the glory of a beautiful landscape painter.
During the years of Stalin's rule, Gerasimov held senior leadership positions. He headed the Moscow branch of the Union of Artists, the Association of Soviet Artists, the Academy of Arts of the USSR.
The history of the painting “After the Rain” by Gerasimov
The story of the creation of the picture was told in due time by the artist's sister. The family rested on the terrace of their home when it suddenly began to rain heavily. But Alexander Mikhailovich did not begin to hide from him, as other household members did. He was shocked at how the water droplets that had accumulated on the foliage, on the floor, on the table, shimmer with different colors, how fresh and transparent the air became, how, having fallen on the ground with a shower, the sky began to lighten and clear. He ordered a palette to be brought to him and in just three hours he created a landscape, amazing in its expressiveness. The artist Gerasimov called this picture “After the Rain”.
However, the landscape, written so quickly and swiftly, was not accidental in the artist's work. Even while studying at the school, he liked to depict wet objects: roads, plants, roofs of houses. He managed to convey glare, bright, rain-washed colors. Perhaps for many years A.M. Gerasimov. “After the rain” was the result of creative searches in this direction. There would be no such background if we did not see the described canvas.
A.M. Gerasimov "After the rain": description of the painting
The plot of the picture is surprisingly simple and concise. The corner of the wooden terrace, a bouquet of flowers on a round dining table and the lush foliage green that make up the background. By the sheen of wooden surfaces, the viewer realizes that the heavy rain has recently ended. But moisture does not create a feeling of dampness and indefatigability. On the contrary, it seems that the rain muffled the summer heat and filled the space with freshness.
It is felt that the picture was created in one breath. There is no tension and heaviness in it. She absorbed the mood of the artist: easy, peaceful. The green of the trees and the flowers in the bouquet are written slightly carelessly. But the viewer easily forgives the artist, realizing that he was in a hurry to catch this beautiful moment of harmony with nature.
Expressive means
This landscape (A. Gerasimov “After the Rain”), the description of the painting, expressive means used by the artist, give art historians a reason to talk about the high painting technique of the author. Despite the fact that the picture looks simple and even careless, it showed the talent of the master. Rain water made the colors more saturated. Wooden surfaces not only shine, but also reflect the color of greenery, flowers and the sun, cast in silver and gold.
The overturned glass on the table also attracts attention. Such a seemingly insignificant detail clarifies a lot, makes the plot easy to read. It becomes clear that the rain began unexpectedly and rapidly, took people by surprise, forced them to hastily collect dishes from the table. Only one glass and a bouquet of garden flowers were forgotten.
One of his best works was considered by A.M. Gerasimov - "After the Rain." The description of the picture presented in this article shows that this work is one of the most significant not only in the artist's work, but also in all Soviet painting.