Экскурсия в Русский Музей на английском языке
учебно-методический материал по английскому языку (9 класс)

Мишко

The Mikhailovsky palace at Arts square was built for Grand Duke (Великий князь) Mikhail, the youngest son of Emperor Paul I.

The Italian-Russian master of neoclassicism Carlo Rossi created a magnificent (величественный) ensemble with two different impressive facades.

Rossi was born in Naples and first came to Russia in childhood, when his mother, the ballerina, was invited to perform in St. Petersburg. He returned to Italy to complete his studies. Then he worked in Russia.

Carlo Rossi was the master of Neoclassicism and his large-scale projects are responsible the most beautiful ensembles in the city.

His masterpieces were not single buildings, but involved (включали) reconstructing whole areas of the city centre around landmark buildings.

All the buildings lining the square are similar in design.

In 1957 a monument to Alexander Pushkin by sculptor Аnikushin was erected (воздвигнут) in the centre of Arts Square.

The Mikhailovskiy Palace was the home to Mikhail, the youngest son of emperor Pavel and his wife, Elena Pavlovna, a German princess, and then to their children.

In the 1890s, Emperor Nicholas II bought the building and used it to house (разместить) the Alexander III Russian Museum. Architect Vasiliy Svinin transformed the palace rooms into museum halls. Many original interiors |ɪnˈtɪərɪəz| were lost. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1895.

(As the collection rapidly expanded (расширилась),) the wing (крыло, флигель) designed by architect Benois was added between 1914 and 1919.)

The collection numbers about 400 000 exhibits from the 11th century to the current day. It includes paintings, sculptures, graphic art, applied art and folk art.

The main vestibule, with its magnificent staircase is the surviving part of the original interiors|ɪnˈtɪərɪəz|.

Floor 2

Федотов В.

Icons|ˈaɪkɒnz/    Room 1 The Ancient Russian Art

The Russian Museum owns about 5,000 icons.

Most Russian icons are painted using  tempera on wooden panels. Because icons in Orthodoxy must follow Byzantium tradition sand standards, the names of icon painters are seldom recognized.

The oldest icon in the museum is the Angel with Golden Hair painted in the early 13 th century. The head of the angel with its large almond-eyes (миндалевидные) and golden hair occupies the entire (вся) icon. Who painted the icon remains a mystery.

The icon Saint Boris and Saint Gleb was painted in Moscow in the 14 th century. (They are the first Russian saints.) They were the sons of Grand Prince Vladimir of Kiev who introduce Christianity in Rus.

The war broke out after his death and the brothers were killed.

The icons portray the brothers with their attributes – a cross a symbol of martyrdom|ˈmɑːtədəm| (мученичество) and a sword /sod/ - a symbol of protection.

Deep blue, red and golden lend the icon a solemn (торжественный) and festive (праздничный) air (вид).

Room 2 (1?)

Early Russian history was a series of wars, the rise and fall of various principalities (княжества). The icons tell the story of 6 centuries of the Russian history.

Among the red and golden icons of Novgorod, the powerful medieval republic,Battle between the Novgorodians and Suzdalitesis uniqueforits composition and subject. The icon is based on a true historical event that took place in 1170. It represents the first Russian historical painting. In the first section of the icon the prayer (молитва)of Novgorodians to the icon Our Lady of Sign /sain/ (знамение Богоматери) isdepicted. In the second one peace negotiations |nɪɡəʊʃɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n| (переговоры)are conducted. In the third section you can see the victory of  Novgorodians.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral and the bridge over the Volkhov River canal so be seen in the icon. (The city is located on the banks of the river.)

Room 3 Andrei Rublev and Muscovites |ˈmʌskəvʌɪt|  masters

Andrei Rubble (1360 – 1427)is the greatest medieval Russian painter.  Rublev was officially recognized (признан) as a saint in 1988. Saint Paul the Apostol and its pendant (пара, дополнение) Saint Peter the Apostol were createdaround1408 and came from the town of Vladimir. Rublev bore in mind (имел в виду) that the icons would be viewed from below. This explains the absence of details and clear silhouettes.

Thelarge (stooping (наклонившиеся) figures of the Apostols are filled with inner (внутренний) light.

Green, blue and yellow clothes lend the icon a calm and solemn air (торжественный вид).

Мишко Г.

The early 18 th century witnessed (свидетельствует) the great influence of European art on Russian culture. Peter the First invited European architects, sculptors and painters to work in Russia. He also sent Russian artists to study in Europe. In 1760 the Academy of Аrts was opened in Saint Petersburg.

The main reason to pause in room 7 is to admire the majestic bronze statue of Empress Anna Ioanovna (1693-1740) and an Arab Boy by the Italian sculptor Carlo Rastrelli, father of the famous architecture. The bronze sculpture completed in full size is a ceremonial (парадный) portrait. The sculpture created with filigree technique became a symbol of despotic age and autocracy (самодержавие).

The three Russian portrait painters Rokotov, Levitsky and Borovikovsky created the whole gallery of people living at the end of 18th and the beginning of the 19 th century: statesmen, courtiers (придворные) /ку’тиез/, noblemen (дворяне) and beautiful women.

Room 10Levitsky, Shubin

Portraits including sculpture ones were popular at the end of the 18th century. The Russian museum possesses the large collection of sculpture portraits by Fedot Shubin. A peasant's son, Shubin was born in the region of Archangel|ˈɑːkeɪndʒ(ə)l| and, inspired by the example of his neighbour Mikhail Lomonosov,the famous scientist, came to Petersburg to study in the Academy of Arts.

The marble bust of Lomonosov isanon-parade, intimate |ˈɪntɪmət| portrait.The sculptor created the inspired realistic image of a courageous, strong and persistent man. Shubin managed (удалось) to reach a great depth and emotionality.

The three Russian portrait painters Rokotov, Levitsky and Borovikovsky created the whole gallery of people living at the end of 18th and the beginning of the 19 th century: statesmen, courtiers (придворные) /ку’тиез/, noblemen (дворяне) and beautiful women.

The ideology of Lightness (просвещение) found reflection (отражение) in the art of Levitsky.

At the request of Catherine the Great (in 1772–1776) Levitzky painted a series of portraits of the pupils of the privileged women school - Smolny Institute for Young Ladies.

(Ekaterina Nelidova, the future favouriteof the emperor Paul, was noted for her grace and musical talent. Levitsky depicted her dancing a minuet.0

The two girlsKhruscheva and Khovanskaya are performing an episode from a pastoral. The elder of two plays the shepherd (пастух), the younger plays his female |ˈfiːmeɪl| friend. The grey, pink and white tones add charm and lightness to the images. The painter wonderfullydepictedtheirsilkdresses.

Catherine II Legislatress/ˈlɛdʒɪsleɪtrɪs/in the Temple of the Goddess of Justice (1783) is an example of a ceremonial portrait with symbolism and allegories. Catherine is standing beside a sculpture of goddess of Justice. .She is burning poppies (маки), implying (означающий) sacrifice (жертва) of her personal quiet (покой) in the interests of the people. Instead of the crown, she is wearing a laurel wreath (венок). The sea in the distance, the image of Mercury on the flag symbolize trade protected by law.

Room 11White Room

Федотов В.

The White Room is the finest achievements in interior design. It has not changed a lot since it was built and decorated.

Two parts of columns divide it into three sections. The columns are lined with white artificial marble. There were three fireplaces. The third standing opposite the window was dismantled (демонтирован). The frescoes represent the scenes from Homer /’Houma/ poems.

Room 12

Мишко Г.

 Borovikovsky created about 500 portraits during his lifetime. His sitters included members of the imperial family, courtiers, generals, aristocrats, and figures from the Russian artistic world.

Most of portraits made by Borovikovskyare intimate in style. They reflect principles of sentimentalism. The young Ekaterina Arsenievais carefree, sensual |ˈsɛnʃʊəl|and coquettish. Her white tunic and straw hat reflect the fashion for natural things and proximity /pro’ksimiti/ (близость) to nature.

Roоm 14

ФедотовВ.

In 1760 the Academy of Аrts was opened in Saint Petersburg. By the middle of the18 th century history painting was the leading genre of art. History canvases (холсты) were based on themes from the Bible /baibl/, mythology and history.

Karl Bryullov was born in 1799 in St. Petersburg,in the family of the academician, engraver (гравер) Pavel Briullo, who emigrated to Russia from France.

Brulov was the king of the portrait genre.You can see two self- portraits of the artist: the portrait when he was young and the portrait of the deathly ill painter.

Look at theportrait of the mistress (хозяйка)of the Michailovsky Palace – Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna with her daughter. Grand Duchess supported the abolition of serfdom (отменакрепостногоправа). She founded  the  Conservatoire|kənˈsəːvətwɑː|.

One of his masterpieces (шедевр) is his unfinished picture of Countess (графиня) Yulia Samoilova and her foster (приемная) daughter returning from the ball. Samoilova was his beloved woman and his ideal of woman’s beauty. The canvasreveals the independent character of the woman.

The Last Day of Pompeii |pɒmˈpeɪi| created a sensation in Italy, France and Russia. In Russia the artist was called “The Great Karl”.

It is a history painting measuring460 by 650centimetres on the subject of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It synthesized the lines of  Neoclassicism|ˌniːəʊˈklasɪsɪz(ə)m|and Romanticism|rə(ʊ)ˈmantɪsɪz(ə)m|..

(The main theme of the canvas is the people’sreaction to the natural disaster.)The artist used classical forms created by the Renaissance /ri’neisens/ masters and features (черты, особенности) of Romantic painting, such as dramatic colouring (колорит), strong contrasts between light and dark and high emotional content (содержание).

Countess Samoilova is depicted four times: the dead beautiful woman with a baby, the woman with her husband and two children in the center, the figure of the woman with two daughterson the left and the woman with a golden cup on her head. On the right you can see the two sons carrying their old father, a mother imploring (умоляющая) her son to flee and the groom (жених)saving his bride wearing the wreath.There is a self-portrait of the painter in the canvas. Can you find it? (Пауза) Brullov added an image of himself as an ancient artist with his paintbox on his head (on the left).        

In the foreground (передний план) we can see an image of the Christian priest. On the background there is a pagan (языческий) priest carrying golden things. While Brulov was working in Saint Isaac's /’aizaks/ Cathedral, his health got worse (ухудшилось). The painter left Russia for Italy, where he died.

МишкоГ.

Aivasovsky, the famous Romantic painter, created around 6,000 seascapes and sea battle scenes /si:nz/. Aivazovsky visited Europe and some Asian /’эйшен/ countries. He is very popular in Russia and outside it.

The artist never painted pictures from life (с натуры). His canvas is the fruit of his imagination (based on his observations (наблюдения)).

The Ninth Wave is his most famous marine. The title /taitl/ refers (название относится) to a sailing expression referring (относящийся) to a wave of incredible size.

The Night Wave depicts (изображает) a sea after a night storm and people facing (смотрящих в лицо) death and attempting (пытающихся) to save themselves. The Ninth Waveembodies (воплощать) the Romantic concepts (идея, понятие) of tragedy and eternal (вечная) hope in man’s victory over nature.

Room 15Ivanov 

ФедотовВ.

 Christ’s /’kraits/Appearanceto the People is an oil painting, (measuring 540 cm by 750 cm) by Ivanov (1806–1858). The picturewas painted in Italy. It took 20 years to complete it. The painter created many of wonderful studies (этюд) which are independent works of art.

In the center of the painting John the Baptist (Иоанн Крeститель), wearing an animal skin, is standing on the banks of the River Jordan (Иордан). He is pointing towards an approaching figure of Christ /kraist/.To the left we can see the young John, Peter, and Andrew, thefuture Apostles, and the future Chrisr’s disciple (ученик) Nathaniel wearing blue clothes. His facial expression is skeptical. He didnоt believe in Christ at first.

In the foreground (передний план) we see both young and old men who are watching the scene with different emotions. In the centre there is a wealthy man who did not want to follow Christ and a slave. Ivanov depicteda person who experienced, after a life in despair and suffering, "joy for the first time". In the background on the right we can see Jewishpriests (священники) who did not believe John.

To the right there is a figurein red clothesstanding nearest to Jesus. This is the great writer Gogol, the artist’s friend. Thesitting figure with a red headgear|ˈhɛdɡɪə| (головной убор)is a self-portrait.

Room 17Kiprensky

МишкоГ.

The start of 19th century in Russia corresponded (соответствует) to the age of Romanticism |rə(ʊ)ˈmantɪsɪz(ə)m|in the West.

Orest Kiprensky, the famous portraitist, was an illegitimate(незаконный) son of a landlord(помещик)(Dyakonov), hence his name was derived from Kypris /’kaipres/, one of the names of the Greek goddess of love.

In 1809, Orest Kiprensky painted the Portrait of Yevgraf Davydov, which became a symbol of Russian Romanticism. The Hussar (гусар) officer is portrayed in military uniform in a theatrical pause. However, the point of the portrait is the face, the eyes, the emotions and sitter’s inner world. Wnen I see the portrait of Evgraf, I remember his cousin Denis Davydov, the hero of Napoleonic wars and the novel War and Peace by Tolstoy.

Kiprensky lived most of his life in Italy.His self - portrait you can see in the famous Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Floor1.

Room 18 Fedotov

ФедотовВ.

As with literature, change came to the fine arts at the end of the 1840s.Realism  rejected (отвергал) Romanticism.The Realists depicted everyday subjects and situations in contemporary settings (современнойобстановке).

Like Gogol and Dostoevsky in literature, Pavel Fedotov (1815-1852) opened up the life of common people

The Mayor Makes a Proposal(предложениеобраке) tells with irony |ˈʌɪrəni|the story of ruined (разорившийся) aristocratic officer who wants to improve his financial position by marrying a merchant’s (купеческая) daughter.

The Academy of Arts continued to orientate artists on mythological, biblical and allegorical subjects.

In 1863 a group of 14 students refused (отказалась) to paint an examination pictures on mythological theme and left the Academy. They formed the Society of Travelling Art Exhibitions – the Peredvizhniki in Russian or Wanderers. It was realistan anti-academic realist movement. By depicting scenes from ordinary life and holding exhibitions in the provinces they made art more accessible (доступный) to the masses.

Now the pictures of realist artists will be shown to you.

Room 27 Shishkin

Федотов В.

Landscape painting flourished in the 1880s. Peredvizhniki painted landscapes to explore (исследовать) the beauty of their own country.

Shishkin studied nature and created its lifelike images. This no means implies (ни в коем случае не подразумевает) primitive naturalism /’начeрелизм/. He became famous for his forest landscapes. Such pictures as Oaks, Winter, Goutweed (Травки), Ship Grove - роща)are masterpieces (шедевры) of the Russian landscapes.

Room 28 Выбрать 2-х пейзажистов

Мишко  Г.

Fyodor Vasilyev (1850 – 1873) was a painter who introduced the lyrical landscape in Russian art.

In 1871, Vasilyev painted Thaw |θɔː|(Оттепель), which made him famous. The picture was bought by the tzar’s (царский) /zaz/ family. The artist Nikolai Ge said, “He opened us the sky”

The "boy genius", as he was called in the artistic circles, had no time to enjoy his popularity. He died (from tuberculosis|tjʊˌbəːkjʊˈləʊsɪs|)at the age of 23.

Romantic traditions were strong in Russian landscape painting. Akhip Kuindzhiwas interested in lightin various time of the day.He used light effects and intense colours. His works are remarkable for their decorative effects. His painting Moonlit (лунная) Night on the Dnieper was a great success. In this room there are his landscapes: Patches (пятна) of Moonlight in a Forest, Moonlit (лунная) Night on the Dnieper, Evening in the Ukraine.

Room 32Polenov(оПоленоверассказывать по желанию)

ФедотовВ.

The contemporaries (современники) would call Polenov the “Knight of Beauty” as he combined both European and Russian traditions of painting. He wrote,“Art should promote happiness and joy”.

(Like many artists at this time,) Polenov painted pictures on historical and biblical themes, for example, Christ and Adulteress (грешница).  A woman who had commited an adultery (супружеская измена) was brought to Christ. According to law she must be stonewalled (побить камнями). Christ said to the crowd, “Who without a sin (грех), throw a stone.” Nobody could do it.

Rooms 33-35, 54Repin

Мишко Г.

Ilya Repin is the most famous of the Realist artists.Barge Haulers on the Volgais both a group portrait and a genre scene. (haul /ho:l/- тянуть, тащить)

Barge Haulerson the Volgawas inspired by scenes witnessed by Repin. He made many preparatory studies(‘этюды). Barge Haulers shows a row of eleven men dragging a barge on the river (against the current).

There is a sense of mounting despair (возрастающееотчаяние) moving from left to right among the group. The exception is a brightly colouredboy in the center. He stands straighter; his head is raised, he tries to free himself.

The picture is a metaphor /’metafo:r/ love of freedom and attempt to break free frombackbreaking(непосильный)labour (труд) and slavery (рабство).

Repin was an excellent portraitist. Look at the portrait of Leo Tolstoy. The writer is depicted barefoot (босиком) at full height /hait/. His face that turned away and gloomy green – brown tones lend the image a dramatic air, reflecting the inner state of the writer at that time.

The group portrait Ceremonial (торжественное) Sitting of the State Council (on 7 May 1901) waspainted for the centenary (столетие) /’sentinery/of the council foundation. The canvas is composedof 80 figures and demanded (требовать) a lot of preparatory work.

 Repin was a good psychologist and created a gallery of characters of statesmen (государственные деятели). In the centre we see Nicolas II of Russia, his great uncle (двоюродный дедушка) and his younger brother Michail, whowas killedin 1917. In the picture we can found many public figures: Semenov Tyan-Shanskiy, a great traveller andgeographer,Nabokov, the Minister of Justice and grandfather of the famous writer.

Room 36, 37Surikov (выбрать две картины)

ФедотовВ.

Russian artists in the late 19thcentury was interested in Russian history. Vasily Surikov (1848- 1916) was a

Russian Realist history painter. He was born to an old Cossack family that had settled in Siberia.

For his battle piесе(картина) The Conquest of Siberia by Yermak Timofeyevich(1895)

Surikov made many studies that were painted in Siberia and on the banks of the Don River where Ermak had been born.

The subject of the painting is the decisive (решающее) battle between Cossacks under the command Ataman Ermak and the Siberian Khan Kuchum army. The Ataman painted in profile /ˈprəʊfʌɪlwith outstretched (вытянутая) arm is in the centre of his army. His boat crashed into the group of Tatar warriors. They are ready to flee (бежать) from the battle.

The canvas Suvorov Crossing the Alps was completed in 1889 by the centenary (столетие) of the event.

During the work on the picture the artist visited Switzerland.

The Russian soldiers are going down from the mountains. The anxiety on the soldiers’ faces turns into fear. However, the boundless (безграничное) trust to their commander and belief in the success lead them ahead.

Room 38VictorVasnetsov (рассказывать по желанию)

Мишко Г.

Legends, fairytales and artist’s fantasies on themes from national history became the subject of pictures by Victor Vasnetsov (1848-1926).

Vasnetsov concentrated on illustrating Russian fairy tales and the epic poems Bylinas. Two of his pieces (карти) The Knight at the Crossroads (нараспутье) (1878) and The Battle of the Scythians |ˈsɪθiənz| with the Slavs are infront of you.

BenoisWing (корпусБенуа) (? ?)

Федотов В.

Mikhail Nesterov ( 1862 –1942) was a Russian and Soviet painter.

Nesterov’s images showed the life of hermits (отшельники), monks, nuns (монахи, монахини),

In many of his genre pictures we can see beautiful women and peaceful landscapes.

The painting The Vision to the Youth Bartholomew illustrates an episode from "The Life of St. Sergius of Radonez” a Russian saint. In his childhood Bartholomew, the future saint Sergius of Radonez, met an angel. The boy asked, “Will you, holy Father, pray to God for me, that he will give me understanding of book-learning? The monk answered,” Pray to God and you will receive God's grace and the understanding of Holy Books”.

After the October Revolution, he painted mostly portraits of outstanding people. In 1941, he was rewarded with the Stalin Prize (a large sum of money) for his portrait of Pavlov (1935), the Nobel prize winner.

Benois Wing

Мишко Г.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin was a famous Russian and Sovietpainter and writer.

He forever looked for new subjects, images, and means of expression. His sources of inspiration were

Russian icons, with their colourred, and Russian countryside, with its blue and green.

One of his major works is Bathing|ˈbeɪðɪŋ|of a Red Horse, madein 1912. The artist used

bright colours and unusual composition.It is a symbol of the coming social changes

Petrov-Vodkin works are diverse(разнообразны) in genres, composition and content. His ascetic

still-lifes(натюрморты), portraits, genrecompositions are linked ( былисвязаны) to life of the

country.

Petrov-Vodkin developed his "spherical perspective". that distorted (искажать) the drawing рисунок) as to (чтобы) represent the viewer high enough to notice the spherical curve (кривизна) of the globe.He used it in his work Death of a Commissar.

His other works are Kiss, Dream, On the Line of Fire, Petrograd Madonna, Motherhood, Still-life with a Herring (селедка), Bather's (купальщица) morning, Fisherman's Daughter, Mother, Portrait of Anna Akhmatova, the Mother of God of Tenderness Towards Evil Hearts (умилениезлыхсердец).

At the start of the20th century there was a great diversity of various styles in the art. The artists were looking for cardinally new ideas and means (средства) of expression.

Valentin Serov (1865-1911) was one of the best portrait artists of his era. He also painted poetic landscapes (In Winter, 1898) and history compositions (Peter II and Princess Elizabeth Riding to Hounds, 1900).

His portraits come in various colour, sizes and compositions. He was a follower of Impressionism|ɪmˈprɛʃ(ə)nɪz(ə)m| in painting.  Serov often preferred black-grey or brown tones. 

The artist either fell in love with his models (Girl Illuminated by the Sun, 1888) or donot like them at all. Princesses Zinaida Yussupоva, Olga Orlova and Prince Felix Ussupov all appear cold and haughty (высокомерный).Prince Felix Ussupov was married the niece of the emperor. He took part in the murdering of Rasputin. He wrote with details about the murdering in his memories. Princess Orlova was so displeased with her portrait –true masterpiece-that she got rid (избавилась) of it, presenting it to the Russian Museum.

Historical |hɪˈstɒrɪk(ə)l|and oriental |ɔːrɪˈɛnt(ə)l|themes were popular with artists at the start of the 20th century. The brightest of them was Roerich, a painter, writer and archaeologist.

Roerich had a deep interest in history. He sailed down the waterway once journeyed by the legendary Varangians |vəˈrandʒɪən| and painted a cycle of pictures dedicated to Varagian period (in the Russian history). One of those pictures is Overseas guests.

In 1923 he went on an expedition to Central Asia. He spent the last years of his life in India. About 2 hundred works devoted the Himalayas[ hɪməˈleɪəs ] were presented by the painter to the Russian Museum.

ФедотовВ.

The Russian Museum owns a fine collection of Russian avant-garde art.

The Russian avant-garde flourished (процветал)in Russia from 1890 to 1930.In the 1930-s the Soviet government turned against avant-garde art, considering that it could not express social realities. (Many of art works were confiscated and the artists were banned (запретить) from creating, teaching and exhibitions.)

Kazimir Malevich (1879]– 1935) was a Russian avant-garde artist (and art theorist).He is known as a pioneer of abstraction.and had a great influence on the development of non-objective (беспредметное)art.

Suprematism invented by Malevich is an abstract art movement, focused on basic geometric forms, such as circles, squares, and rectangles, painted in a limited range (диапазон) of colours.The term suprematismmeans "the supremacy(that is domination) of pure artistic feeling" rather than on visual depiction of objects(изображениепредметов)

In the exhibitionin 1915 "Black Square"was presented as a breakthrough (прорыв) and revolution in art, a kind of icon.

One of the author’s copies of Black Square is in front of you. Black Square is one of the most scandalous and talked about pictures in art history. One can argue endlessly about the artistic value of the "Black Square", its role in the art history.

Black Square means "zero", the beginning of non-objectivity, the end of the traditional subject-based thinking (мышление) of the artist

Some people think that the painting is a senseless (бессмысленная) poseor talented PR (public relations).

For others the idea of synthesis of philosophy, literature and art, religion and science is embodied (воплощается) in the picture.

The picture tells the viewer not so much about the artist, as about himself (or herself).

Malevich’s short career –about two decades- was rich and complex. In the 1920s he transformed Suprematism into an innovation fusion (сплав) of fugarativeness and non-objectivity (беспредметность). The painter created images of peasants/‘pez(e)nts/ (крестьянe) of contemporary(современный) Russia.

His picture Red Cavalry is composed of three parts: sky, people and ground.

He used 12 colours for paintingthe ground.

Here you can enjoy his following paintings: Aviator (1914), Suprematism (1915-1), Head of a Peasant (крестьянин) (1928-29), Self-portrait, Red Cavalry (1932)^[1]

Мишко Г.

 I think Pavel Filonov (1883 –1941) is the most unsolved (неразгаданный) avant-garde artist.

After the October Revolution he organized an arts school of Masters of Analytical Realism /ˈrɪəlɪz(ə)m/.

Philonov developed his own technique, analytical realism. After the October Revolution he organized an arts school of Masters of Analytical Realism /ˈrɪəlɪz(ə)m/.

(In 1912) he wrote "Analytical realists" should represent objects using elements of their inner soul. “

He believed that objects and fields (фон) should be built up from small details and bits (куски).

He created pictures by working from the particular to the general (от частного к общему), He used the smallest brushes and the sharpest (самые острые) pencils.

This approach can be traced from Filonov’s compositions –Shrovetide (Масленница) (1913-14) and which reveals (показывает) his links to folklore /’fouklo/.

Filonov arranged his images (строилизображения) like (как) plants growing in nature. His compositions were similar to (подобны) mosaics.

In 1929, the Soviet government, forbade (запретило) an exhibition of Filonov. He starved but refused (голодал, но отказался) to sell his works to private collectors. He wanted to give all his works to the Russian Museum. He died of starvation in 1941 during the Nazi /’Natsi/ Siege / siːdʒ/ (осада)of Leningrad.

His sister donated his works to the Russian Museum. In 1988, his exhibition was allowed in Russia.

The picture The Feast of Kings looks like feast of corpses (трупы).The picture painted in 1913 predicted the World War I.

Philonov dreamt /dremt/ of golden age of mankind /men’kaind/ (человечество) called universal flowering. However, he was not blind /blaind/ (слепой) to the imperfections (несовершенство) of reality.)

The theme of “man and beast” played an important role in his work. He painted images of animal-like people and anthropomorphic creatures.

Living head (1923) was a radical new form of portrait. The master saw the processes taking place in the organism –invisible to the eye, but known to the artist.

Peasant /’pezant/ (крестьянская)Family or Holy Family was inspired by Russian icons.In the picture he showed his understanding of the Gospel (евангельская) legend.

Федотов В.

Vasily Kandinsky(1866 –1944) was a Russian avant-garde painter.

He is famous for painting the first abstract works.

Successful in his profession—he was a lawyer - Kandinsky began to paint pictures at the age of 30 in Germany.

After the October Revolution, Kandinsky worked in Russia.He returned to Germany in 1920 and taught painting until the Nazis /’neisiz/came to power.He then moved to France where he died in 1944.

The Russian Museum possesses (владеть) twenty woks by Kandinsky,

He believed that colour could be used as something autonomous / ɔːˈtɒnəməs/.No matter what is depicted, it is important what feelings the picture awakens from the viewer. Kandinsky oriented himself on sensations (чувства) generated by the subconscious (подсознание).

The content (содержание) of his works are defined by colour and rhythm. Geometrical elements - circles, angles (углы), squares, curves (кривые) and spots (пятна) - take on great importance in his painting.

He likened (уподоблять, сравнивать) painting tomusic and used musical terms (термины) for his works: "improvisations" and "compositions".

Here you can see his canvases Blue Crest (гребень, вершина), Summer Landscape, Improvisation № (number) 11, Saint Georgevs (versus- против) Dragon", 1911.

Мишко Г.

Palekh miniature  /’минича/ is a Russian folk /’fouk/ handicraft of a miniature painting.It is made with tempera paints on varnished (лакированные)articles made of papier-mâché  such as small boxes, cigarette and powder cases etc.

Palekh  art  first appeared in 1923 in the village of Palekh, located not far from Moscow. It is based on a long local traditions of icon painting because before the October revolution the local residents painted icons.

The Palekh miniatures represent characters from real life, literary works, fairy tales, and songs. They are painted with bright paints over the black background and are known for their delicate and smooth design and accurate silhouettes of flattened figures.

 Decorativeness of landscapes and architecture, and elongated proportions of the figures go back to the icon-painting traditions.

Works by Palekh masters are kept in numerous museums of Russia and abroad.

Федотов В

Khokhloma painting is a Russian wood painting handicraft . Its ornament is known for its curved (изогнутый) flower, berry and leaf patterns.Firebirds, figures of Russian fairytales, are also common.  The ornament symbolizes the importance of nature in Russian culture.

In most cases red, black, green, and yellow  are used over a gold background. Painted wooden tableware or furniture look heavier and metal-like.

Khokhloma appeared in the 17th century and was named after a settlement (поселок) in Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Articles carved out of wood are covered with clay (глина), linseed (конопляное) oil, and aluminum powder. Then a floral pattern is painted. After that, the articles are covered with linseed (конопляный) oil and hardened in an oven at150 C. After the oven articles become goldish. Real gold is not used.

Мишко Г.

Dymkovo toysare moulded (вылепленные) painted clay (глина) figures of people and animals (sometimes in the form of a pennywhistle/’пенни’вислз /. The handicraft has existed in a village of Dymkovo in the Urals for 400 years.

The Dymkovo toys are made by women.The tradition of making pennywhistles in the form of animals and birds goes back to the ancient magic rituals. Later on, little figures turned into toys.

The Dymkovo toys are moulded (лепят) from local clay and sand. Then the toys are dried and tempered (закаливать) in a furnace (печь) at 900 С (degrees Centigrade), they are whitewashed (белить) with chalk , painted in 4 to 10 colors, and decorated with gold leafs.

Dymkovo toys include animals and birds, landladies (барыни), nannies with children, water carriers (водоноски) and others