#argunov

[paintingispoetry]

Ivan Argunov, "Portrait of Catherine II of Russia" detail, 1762

[ruscatontheroof]

"Portrait of an Unknown Woman in a Peasant Suit" N.Argunov (1784)

"Портрет неизвестной в крестьянском костюме" Н.Аргунов (1784)

[internet--thug]

Ivan Argunov, Portrait of an Unknown Woman in Russian Dress. 1784.

Oil on canvas.

[songesoleil]

Portrait of an Unknown Woman in Russian Costume.1784. Oil on canvas. 67 x 53.6 cm. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia. Art by Ivan Petrovich Argunov.(1727-1802).

[artvecher]

Talking of roses I would also like to introduce you a painting by Nikolai Argunov (1771- after1829) called "Portrait of Ivan Yakimov dressed as Cupid" (1790).

This one is a typical example of late 18th and early 19th century portraits. All the objects surrounding the person portrayed  give us clues about who is depicted here. Bow and arrows, wings and roses are symbols of Cupid - the god of love. Ivan Yakimov was a serf of count Sheremetev as well as the artist Nikolai Argunov himself. Yakimov was a member of the Sheremetev's serf theatre and ballet troupe. Here's what the count once recalled of Yakimov's appearance on stage:"The graces carried him in a basket with garlands of roses, and as they only expected to find roses in it, the unexpected appearance of this cupid enraptured the entire audience."

As for Nikolai Argunov he was a son of Ivan Argunov - a famous serf painter of 18th century who also belonged to Sheremetev. As the count Sheremetev died in 1809 many of his musicians and artist were let go to seek for work on their own. Nikolai Argunov was officially granted freedom 7 years later - at the age of 45. As a serf Nikolai Argunov had to satisfy his commissioners and often copy techniques of famous artists of the time. But not alike his early works many of his latest paintings prove that he was a master with great skills and high interest for character and psychology of those who's portrait he painted.

[necspenecmetu]

Nikolai Ivanovich Argunov, Cupid, late 18th or early 19th century

[titam]

Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Dress by Ivan Petrovich Argunov, 1760