| |
Fedor Stepanovich Rokotov was among the
first to win a deserved reputation as a portrait painter. Though he was the son
of a serf, Rokotov entered the Academy of Art in 1760 and soon distinguished
himself as a brilliant student. He studied under Rotari and was considerably
influenced by Antropov. Rokotov made a very successful artistic career for
himself, and painted a large number of portraits of members of the privileged
class. He proved along with several other artists that class prejudices did not
hinder talented young men from achieving their goals, and had been so
throughout the entire history of Russia. Most of Rokotov's portraits show that
his palette was rich, his touch delicate and that he was guided by beauty and
sumptuousness. The eyes of the persons he painted are very expressive and the
way they hold their heads often transmits their real character. Their bodies
are usually wrapped up in rich costumes. Portraits of such ladies as
Surovtseva, Lanskaya, Orlova, Novosiltsova, Santy are among his best. Of the
last, Benois rather generously said that it was one of the most wonderful
paintings of the 18th century. Rokotov's income must have been considerable,
taking into consideration the large house and studio which the painter built
for himself in Moscow in 1786. Here we have his portrait of an unknown man
completed in 1757.
|
|
