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The Story of a Painting: "The Appearance of Christ to the People" by A. A. Ivanov Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov was a Russian 19th-century painter, a contemporary of Gogol. He spent most of his life in Italy, living and working supported by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. This allowed him to create a painting that for more than a century has been regarded as a national masterpiece of Russian painting. The idea of creating a painting that could embody the entire essence of the Gospel seized the artist so completely that he worked on his principal work for almost twenty years. Some 700 sketches and studies were produced in the making of this painting. The central figure of the painting became Christ the Redeemer, who brings mercy and hope to the people. The figure of Christ is clothed in a blue cloak; he is walking to the River Jordan to receive baptism. Behind Christ, amid dense green trees, the white houses of Jerusalem can be seen. In the lower part of the painting are depicted John the Baptist and Christ's future disciples—the apostles. On the right of the painting are people who have come from Jerusalem for a variety of reasons. The main idea of this monumental work, which the artist himself repeatedly voiced and described in letters, is the closeness of every person to Christ. Ivanov deliberately painted the figures life-size and left the foreground open so that each viewer could feel part of the canvas. To emphasize the connection across time, the artist painted the characters from his contemporaries. On the right side of the painting one can see the figure of a man in a brown cloak, and if you look closely you will easily recognize this wanderer as Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol. Gogol was a close friend and spiritual mentor of Ivanov. To the right of the figure of John the Baptist Ivanov depicted himself. Unlike other artists, Ivanov did not emphasize the self-portrait and showed himself sitting in the shade wearing a wide-brimmed hat. In "The Appearance of Christ to the People" there are no accidents; every detail has meaning. The canvas made a huge impression not only on the public but also on the younger generation of artists and the Peredvizhniki (the Wanderers). Today the painting is displayed in the historic building of the Tretyakov Gallery on Lavrushinsky Lane.

May 27, 2023

Елизавета Делороса

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The Story of a Painting: "The Appearance of Christ to the People" by A. A. Ivanov Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov was a Russian 19th-century painter, a contemporary of Gogol. He spent most of his life in Italy, living and working supported by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. This allowed him to create a painting that for more than a century has been regarded as a national masterpiece of Russian painting. The idea of creating a painting that could embody the entire essence of the Gospel seized the artist so completely that he worked on his principal work for almost twenty years. Some 700 sketches and studies were produced in the making of this painting. The central figure of the painting became Christ the Redeemer, who brings mercy and hope to the people. The figure of Christ is clothed in a blue cloak; he is walking to the River Jordan to receive baptism. Behind Christ, amid dense green trees, the white houses of Jerusalem can be seen. In the lower part of the painting are depicted John the Baptist and Christ's future disciples—the apostles. On the right of the painting are people who have come from Jerusalem for a variety of reasons. The main idea of this monumental work, which the artist himself repeatedly voiced and described in letters, is the closeness of every person to Christ. Ivanov deliberately painted the figures life-size and left the foreground open so that each viewer could feel part of the canvas. To emphasize the connection across time, the artist painted the characters from his contemporaries. On the right side of the painting one can see the figure of a man in a brown cloak, and if you look closely you will easily recognize this wanderer as Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol. Gogol was a close friend and spiritual mentor of Ivanov. To the right of the figure of John the Baptist Ivanov depicted himself. Unlike other artists, Ivanov did not emphasize the self-portrait and showed himself sitting in the shade wearing a wide-brimmed hat. In "The Appearance of Christ to the People" there are no accidents; every detail has meaning. The canvas made a huge impression not only on the public but also on the younger generation of artists and the Peredvizhniki (the Wanderers). Today the painting is displayed in the historic building of the Tretyakov Gallery on Lavrushinsky Lane.

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Александр Андреевич Иванов был русским художником XIX века, современником Гоголя. Большую часть жизни художник прожил в Италии, существуя и работая на содержании Общества поощрения художеств. Это позволило ему создать картину, которую уже не первое столетие считают народным шедевром русской живописи.

Мысль о создании картины, которая могла бы вобрать в себя всю суть Евангелия,
овладела художником настолько, что над своим главным произведением он работал почти двадцать лет. Для написания этой картины было создано 700 эскизов и этюдов. Центральной фигурой картины стал Христос-искупитель, который несет народу милосердие и надежду.

Фигура Христа облачена в синий плащ, он идет к реке Иордан, чтобы принять крещение. Позади Христа, в гуще зеленых деревьев, виднеются белые дома Иерусалима. В нижней части картины изображены Иоанн Креститель и будущие ученики Христа – апостолы. Справа на картине изображены люди, которые пришли из Иерусалима с самыми разными целями.

Основной идеей этой монументальной работы, которую и сам художник неоднократно озвучивал и описывал в письмах, является близость каждого человека к Христу. Иванов умышленно написал фигуры людей в человеческий рост, а передний план картины оставил свободным, чтобы каждый зритель мог почувствовать себя частью полотна. Для того чтобы подчеркнуть связь времен, художник писал героев со своих современников.

В правой части картины можно увидеть фигуру человека в коричневом плаще, и, если приглядеться – вы без труда узнаете в этом страннике Николая Васильевича Гоголя. Гоголь был близким другом и духовным наставником Иванова. А справа от фигуры Иоанна Крестителя Иванов изобразил самого себя. В отличие от других художников, Иванов не стал делать акцент на автопортрете и изобразил себя сидящим в тени и в широкополой шляпе.

В картине «Явление Христа народу» нет случайностей, каждая деталь имеет значение. Полотно произвело огромное впечатление не только на публику, но и на молодое поколение художников и передвижников. Сейчас картина представлена в историческом здании Третьяковской галереи в Лаврушинском переулке.