Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov - a famous Russian artist. He was nicknamed the artist of the sun for his extraordinary passion for portraying this luminary in his works. Many critics and art historians compare Lentulov with Matisse. This man left an indelible mark on the history of Russian and world painting.
Beginning of life
The future creator was born on April 16, 1882 in a small village in the county of Penza province in the house of a priest. Father died when the young talent was 2 years old. Mother sincerely wanted her son to work in the church, and the woman gave him to study the spiritual sciences. However, the future artist did not like this prospect, and he stopped classes.
Training
After escaping from the seminary, the painter enters the local Penza Art School. Possessing an innate gift, he easily masters the program. After some time, the future talent decides to try his luck in Kiev, enters the art college. He is kicked out of the school due to his violent wayward character. The fact is that the student decided to correct the plein air of Professor Seleznev, for which he had to pay deductions.
Having returned to the previous place of study, Aristarkh Vasilievich Lentulov is not discouraged. He received a certificate in 1905 and went to Petersburg for new opportunities, where he decided to enter the Academy of Arts. The attempt fails. During the exam, the professor made a remark to Lentulov, the teacher considered it inappropriate to use a green tint in writing a human face. To which the entrant replied: “Don’t you see the green there? In that case, I feel sorry for you! ” The reaction of the professor was quite predictable. But this incident also benefited the young creator, he was noticed by Dmitry Kardovsky and offered to attend lectures on a free basis, without enrolling and issuing a diploma.
The young talent continues to improve, in 1910 he was waiting for a new higher educational institution in France - La Pallette Academy of Fine Arts. The ideas of cubism are revealed to him, which in the future will greatly affect the works of Aristarchus Vasilyevich Lentulov. The training continued until 1912, after which the painter returned to Russia.
"Jack of Diamonds"
In 1908, the artist decides to move to Moscow. In the capital, together with Mikhail Larionov and David Burliuk, he is working on the organization of the Jack of Diamonds exhibition, which presented works of art of a new genre. The creators have openly protested against realistic images of the time. Even the name sounded unusual. Larionov himself claimed: "There are too many pretentious names ... as a protest we decided, the worse, the better ... what could be more ridiculous" Jack of Diamonds "?". For fortune-tellers, this card symbolized youth and beauty, while for convicts, on the contrary, it was ephemism. They decided to give such an ambiguous designation to their event. So the first show of paintings of a new generation took place.
Artists touched the attention of the public, there were more than two hundred visitors. This breathed life not just into the exhibition, but into a full-fledged artistic organization. In the future, Malevich, Kandinsky, and Goncharova will join her.
It was a whole community with its charter, goals and objectives. They made various reports and presentations, sought to enlighten the modern public in the field of fine art.
For diamonds, still life has become a favorite genre, and the tray is one of the main distinguishing objects in the picture.
Some representatives of this trend could write several finished paintings in a week. This is due to the fact that they neglected proportions and perspective, which significantly accelerated the process of work.
There were exhibited paintings not only of Russian contemporaries, but also the avant-garde works of foreign colleagues. Such events were very popular.
The society lasted six years and broke up due to the disagreement of the participants. Its continuation is the organization “Moscow painters”, which, of course, Aristarkh Vasilievich entered at one time.
Years of creativity
In 1907, he made new acquaintances with such famous people as Natalya Goncharova, Nikolai Kulbin, David and Nikolai Burliuk. He takes part in his first exhibition under the name "Wreath".
In 1908, Lentulov Aristarkh Vasilyevich finished the painting “Portrait of Four”. In addition, it creates landscapes and open airs.
During his stay in Paris, he changes his style and gets acquainted with the Puteau community. The Academy of La Pallette, in which the painter studied, was led by cubists J. Metzenge and Le Focognier, with these people Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov makes acquaintances. The artist is amazed by such trends as cubism, and he actively masters this style. Establishes friendly communication with Fernand Leger and Henri le Focognier. At that time, the painter was fascinated by the work of Eugene Delacroix and Theodore Gericault, and French artist Robert Delaunay exerts a special influence .
Upon arrival from Paris, Lentulov improved the art of painting. He writes fluently, simply, defiantly. Of course, one can see the resemblance to his foreign friends. In 1912, the painting “Allegory of War” was painted. One student, looking at this work, said: “I will voluntarily go to prison for 2 weeks if the author explains what is depicted here.” The creator accepted the challenge, but, alas ... the young man never showed up for trial. In those years, society cautiously accepted such art, since for the Russian people it was something new and still unknown.
From 1912 to 1914, Aristarkh Vasilievich was actively interested in the shapeless still lifes and landscapes of Moscow.
Over time, his works take on increasingly clear forms. But cubism lives in the creator for the rest of his life. The author also depicts the sun in almost all of his works, this is a distinctive feature of Lentulov. Each of his paintings is filled with light. As the creator himself admitted, some were written off from life, which almost deprived the artist of his sight.
In 1915 he created his self-portrait “The Great Artist”. The portrait absolutely corresponds to reality, the creator in life was just as good-natured, broad-shouldered, awkward hero. And the colors of the work convey the very sun that came from inside.
The revolution of 1917 was also reflected in the canvases of the painter. Based on the emotions caused by the February events, he writes the picture “The World. The triumph. Liberation. "
The most famous work of the early 20s is the next self-portrait. He was already more restrained, but still filled with cubism.
20-30 years Aristarkh Vasilievich Lentulov completely changes his style. It is believed that this is a normal transition to maturity and this is nothing special. Now his paintings are written in the style of socialist realism. However, critics note that the works as if the sun had gone.
In 1933, the first exhibition of the artist. Unfortunately, this was the only such event held during the life of Aristarkh Vasilievich.
Personal life
In 1908, after moving to Moscow, the cubist married a young girl, Maria Rukina, with whom he was happy throughout his life.
He had a single daughter - Lentulova Marianna, who followed in the footsteps of her father and delved into art. Only, unlike Aristarchus, she is an art critic.
That's how the personal life of the famous creator went. Without special adventures and stories.
Paintings
Aristarkh Vasilievich Lentulov "Night at the Patriarchal Ponds." The famous work, written in 1928, is currently in the Tretyakov Gallery.
Auction canvas "Church in Alupka." The painting was sold for $ 3.5 million in 2013.
Another popular work, written in 1913, is also in the Tretyakov Gallery. Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov "Moscow". They wrote about this picture in one of the modern American magazines: "This is the best image of Moscow". Aristarkh Vasilievich Lentulov would be pleased with such a popularity of this masterpiece, since he considered it one of his best works.
“Images of Generation” - a picture put up for auction in 2011 for $ 1.5 million.
"Sunset on the Volga" Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov. Year of creation 1928.
In 1915, another sunny landscape was painted in the style of cubism. "The firmament - Decorative Moscow" Aristarkh Vasilyevich Lentulov.
Unusual author's style
Even in his early works, pure colors play a dominant role. To enhance the impression of the work, the author adds shreds of fabric, pieces of foil and colored paper.
Alexander Benois himself noticed the talent of Aristarchus Vasilievich. The critic said that these works amuse the soul and heart.
Lentulov’s paintings are filled not only with light, but also with sound. Looking at them, one gets the feeling that the city will come to life and buzz in the bustle of everyday life. Music filled the canvases for a reason. The author had the talent not only to draw, but also had excellent musical data. He always hummed while working. Marianne claimed that her father could perform a whole aria by heart, while creating another masterpiece.
Teaching
Since 1918, the artist becomes a teacher. He taught at the Stroganov School and had a workshop in VKHUTEM subordinate. And also was a member of the board of Fine Arts Narcompros.
Theatre
Lentulov is getting closer to the theater, he is getting closer to the director Tairov and actress Koonen.
His first practice of design is the play "Tales of Hoffmann." Having received approval after the first attempt, he takes on the second.
His next work is the scenery for A. Rubinstein’s opera Demon. The premiere took place in 1919 and enjoyed success for a long time. Six years later, mock-ups won a prize at the International Exhibition.
End of life
In 1941, when the Germans were advancing, people were evacuated from Moscow. Lentulov rode along with cultural workers. However, at the very beginning of the journey he became very ill and left the crew, along with his family. They stayed in Ulyanovsk, where they lived for a year. Then they returned to the capital, where the painter underwent a serious operation. On April 15, 1943, the famous Russian painter Lentulov Aristarkh Vasilievich left us.