The middle of the 19th century in Russia was marked by the appearance of so-called dowry brides. Families with average incomes felt the need from time to time, money was not always enough even for the most necessary. Children at this time grew up, expenses increased, and the family budget could not stand it. It was most difficult for families with several daughters to live, as each girl wanted to dress beautifully, and it cost quite a lot.
Against the background of unsettled life, family troubles arose and, in the end, parents began to look for a way out of this situation. The eighteen-year-old beautiful daughter, as a rule, was surrounded by fans who were ready to look after her and even marry her. Mostly they were young dandies with good external data, but without material means. The girl’s parents tried to find her richer bridegroom, and the bride herself understood that she did not need an insolvent husband. Nevertheless, time flew quickly, many girls on marriageable age could not find their happiness and remained unmarried. There weren’t enough grooms, those who could make up a party for a decent girl were reckless, a real hunt was conducted for them.
Marriages of convenience
It was far from always possible to get engaged to a handsome and wealthy young man, most often disappointment came in the first weeks of acquaintance. And then classic elderly grooms came to the forefront, ready to lead a young inexperienced virgin down the aisle. Seventy-year-olds, not at all embarrassed, got married, negotiated with their parents, offered fabulous sums. Of course, the young beauty could not accept such courtship of the decrepit old man, but her parents were in a hurry to order a wedding outfit. At the same time, the mother told her daughter: “You’re going to get married, and that’s the point ... Enough for us to live.” This was followed by sleepless nights, girlish tears, supplications, but the parents were adamant. Often, girls tried to commit suicide, so as not to marry a hated old man.
The unequal marriage: history
In 1863, the work of the young artist Vasily Pukirev, which made a splash, was presented at the Moscow Academic Art Exhibition. The painting "Unequal Marriage" was devoted to the theme of forced marriages in Russian society of that time. Nevertheless, in the socio-psychological sense, no one saw the problem, only the bride herself suffered, who had to endure the harassment of the hateful groom. Material interest, the desire to conduct a profitable deal forced parents to sacrifice the interests of their own daughter. The author of the painting “Unequal Marriage” openly condemned the commercialism of Russian society. The elderly generals, who had already looked after a young defenseless bride, began to refuse to marry one after another.
Wedding
The painting “Unequal Marriage”, the description of which involves acquaintance with the characters in full detail, reflects the wedding scene in the Orthodox Church. The twilight of the altar aisle is slightly scattered by the light falling from the window. In general, the picture "Unequal marriage" leaves an impression of hopelessness. In the center is an elderly groom, dressed in an expensive suit, with unnatural posture, supported by a tight corset. The head barely turns, pinned by a high collar, dull eyes haughtily surrounding those around, a medal sparkles on the chest, an order on the neck. These awards are clearly inappropriate for a church wedding. The old man tries to look at the bride from the height of his rank of general, but he is pathetic, although he tries to stay in good shape.
It is difficult to understand the psychology of decrepit warriors, because, most likely, he also once had a daughter, whom he sought to successfully marry. Behind a long life, in which there was a lot of good, like any person. Where does such callousness, soullessness in relation to the young creature come from?
Bride
The most significant character of the picture - a young girl - was written by the artist especially carefully. The bride is still a child, with a drooping head, barely holding back tears, this day is the most bitter in her life. A tender face framed by blond curls is sad, the candle in a child’s hand bent, wax dripped onto the wedding dress. The hateful groom is very close, the sensation of his presence tormenting the girl's soul. Her right hand is extended to the priest, who is about to put a wedding ring on his thin finger. The bride is indifferent, she is already indifferent to her own fate. Having dressed in a wedding outfit, the girl sacrificed herself for the benefit of her family, which from now on will be able to live in abundance.
Priest
The priest in the picture is depicted hunched over, lost, as if he had to do an ungrateful task. He looks from underneath, the pose is tense, unnatural, his robe, embroidered in a robe, puffs. In the left hand is an open church book, in the right is a wedding ring, which the priest is ready to put on the bride’s finger. Perhaps he once had a daughter, whom someone was trying to break his life. The priest is confused, but he is ready to fulfill his duty to the end.
Schafer and others present
In the picture, in addition to the bride and groom, several more characters are depicted. Behind the bride’s back is a best man with a boutonniere on the lapel of his frock coat, he is sad, even preoccupied. The unnaturalness of events unfolding under church vaults depresses the young man. Next to him is a man who, apparently, is also not indifferent to what is happening. All other characters depicted in the picture are close people of the groom, among whom are an officer, matchmaker and several civilians.
"Pros and cons"
A well-known art critic, art historian, Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov, seeing Pukirev’s canvas, said: “Finally, a work on the topic of the day appeared, taken from the very depths of modern life.”
However, not all shared his opinion. The artist found many enemies who began to blame him for not deep enough elaboration of the topic. There was a wave of controversy in the press, they argued about the work of Pukirev. In the end, they recognized that he created a picture doomed to success. The revealing plot did not leave anyone indifferent. Virtuoso painting, compositional drawing, honed psychological characteristics of each character - all this raised the artistic value of the picture to an unprecedented height. A new talented artist has appeared in Russia - Vasily Pukirev ("Unequal Marriage"). The description of the picture, its analysis, the opinion of critics allowed us to conclude that the appearance of the masterpiece was timely. Russian society was ready to condemn marriages for their immorality.
Unequal marriage! Sorrow and suffering, death for the fragile girlish soul. How many folk songs are composed about the fate of daughters, about the bitter share of ordinary Russian women. The tragedy of the theme was embodied in other works of painting and literature, such as the play by A. N. Ostrovsky “The Poor Bride”, the painting by F. Zhuravlev “Before the Crown”, and the painting by V. Makovsky “Towards the Crown”. “Unequal Marriage,” a picture by Pukirev, dominated this list. Thus, the motive of marriage by calculation entered into the visual and theatrical art.
Confession
The painting "Unequal Marriage" was recognized as a masterpiece of painting, Vasily Pukirev was awarded the title of professor of painting for it. The Academy makes a professor a man who has painted a big picture, but which one? A picture where there is no fire, no battle, no ancient, no new history ... Everyone was excited about the new, modern theme of the power of money and the author's position, clearly expressed by the figure of a young man standing behind the bride. However, more on that later. After that, Pukirev's fame became all-Russian. The artist took up teaching activities, successfully created groups of gifted young men, tried to develop natural talent in them, transferred his knowledge and experience.
Many were interested in whom the artist portrayed in his picture, rumors spread around Moscow. Some believed that the plot was based on a tragedy from the life of the painter himself - his bride, they say, was passed off as a rich old man. There were no grounds for such assumptions, but everyone liked this version. And since the rumors are tenacious, the story of someone unhappy love of an artist, invented by someone, has occupied the minds of Muscovites for quite some time.
How did the plot appear
Actually the painting “Unequal marriage” did not have such a romantic origin. The fact is that Vasily Pukirev had a close friend, artist Peter Shmelkov, a teacher of drawing. He lived in need and therefore was constantly in search of work and subjects for his paintings. Sometimes he managed to get tutoring in some rich house. Revolving in high society, Shmelkov more than once observed the marriage alliances of the elderly with young brides. He even made a series of sketches on this subject, hoping in the future to use them in painting.
Church decree
In February 1861, in February, the Holy Synod issued a decree condemning the large age difference in marriage, since every second marriage was made on the basis of material interest in that period. Perhaps then Shmelkov suggested a theme for the picture to his friend. Pukirev was carried away by the idea and began work. In gratitude, he painted Shmelkov next to the best man. And in the role of best man portrayed himself.
In addition to Vasily Pukirev and his friend Shmelkov, there is another famous character in the picture. This is Grebensky, the master frame. When he saw the picture, he immediately set out to make a frame for it "which has not yet been." It turned out truly a work of art, decorated with fine graceful carvings. Thus, “Unequal Marriage” (painting by Pukirev) received a decent frame. Since then, the Tretyakov Gallery has ordered frames for collection paintings only from Grebensky.
Artist's Activities
At one time, Vasily Pukirev successfully worked for the interior decoration of the Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity, in Mud. He created nine icon-painting images. In addition to sacred art, the artist was engaged in portraiture, created a series of images of famous people. Among other things, thirty-year-old Pukirev taught at the Moscow School of Painting and Sculpture.
The collapse and death of the creator
The talented artist did not get a family, although according to some information he made an offer to Praskovya Matveevna, a woman of a beautiful soul, the same one who posed for him in the role of a bride while working on the painting "Unequal Marriage". The declaration of love was unrequited, and the artist lived all his life alone. This played a role: things gradually fell into decay, new paintings were not in demand. Pukirev began to drink, had to leave the school. Further - more: the artist lost his apartment, sold all his belongings and began to live on charity handouts. Friends than they could help, but this could not continue for a long time. And on June 1, 1890, Vasily Pukirev died all alone, at the age of 58. The artist was buried at the Vagankovsky cemetery in Moscow.
“Unequal marriage”, a painting by artist Pukirev, is currently in the Tretyakov Gallery, located at Moscow, Lavrushinsky Lane 10. The museum is open daily from 10 to 18 hours.
"Unequal marriage", picture, price
On the Internet you can find reproductions of any artwork. The situation is different with copyright copies of masterpieces made at a fairly high professional level, there are only a few such works. Specialized sites host both reproductions and artistic copies. Visitors often ask, who painted the picture "Unequal Marriage"? Of course, everyone wants to know more about the legendary canvas.
Online stores offer copyrighted copies of the masterpiece. The painting “Unequal marriage”, the photo of which is posted on almost all portals, sites and forums related to painting, is sold for 28,000–42,000 rubles.
Similar pictures
In addition to the masterpiece of Vasily Pukirev, there are a number of paintings on the topic of unequal marriages. The artist Firs Zhuravlev painted in 1874 a picture that continued the theme of the decline of morality in Russian society. In the room on the floor, a sobbing bride, already dressed in a wedding dress, an inexorable father is standing nearby. The fate of the girl is a foregone conclusion, in a few minutes she will be taken to church and married to an ugly rich old man. The painting is called "Before the Wedding", it is in the Tretyakov Gallery.
In 1894, St. Petersburg artist Vladimir Makovsky painted the picture “To the Crown,” also reflecting the theme of moral degradation of society in Russia in the mid-19th century. The canvas depicts an immaculate Russian beauty, heartbroken, devoid of any hope for a happy life. The painting is in the Samara Art Museum.