VII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2015

Among the many portraitists England special place belonged to Joshua Reynolds (Joshua Reynolds) (1723-1792). Reynolds was the founder and first president of the Royal Academy of Arts , founded in 1768. Aiming to adopt the ideal of art associated with the national reality , Reynolds combined the features of secular pomp and typical aristocratic portrait monumentality with neatness psychological characteristics . Painter Joshua Reynolds created a gallery of portraits of his contemporaries , in most cases, the upper classes of society.

Reynolds was born in Plympton in the family pastor , he studied with the portraitist Hedson . A trip to Italy and France completed his art education , promoting the formation of free brushwork and harmonious saturated color. Strengths of his work appeared , where he followed nature. Gravitation Reynolds to create a vital and truthful at the same time sanitized images found in "Portrait of the writer Stern " ( 1760 , private collection) .

Characteristic picture of Joshua Reynolds ' Portrait of Countess Spencer with her daughter Georgiana . " Tender gesture mother embracing her little daughter , gives this charming portrait of a special warmth. Lace and silk dresses Countess written and broad manner and transferred with great skill . This loose brushwork used for image shaggy dog fur and the sky is covered with clouds in the background . Sir Joshua Reynolds is best known portraits of the English aristocracy , written in the grand style , borrowed from the great Italian masters . Although this portrait pomp and convention composition minimized artist yet introduced a number of traditional details in the background , such as columns, draperies and overhanging clouds. Reynolds enjoyed a reputation as an artist who raised portraiture in England to the level of the great Italian masters . During the reign of George III artist prestige was so high that when the King was founded in 1768 the Royal Academy of Arts, without discussion Reynolds was appointed its first president. Reynolds liked to portray portrayed at work, in the family circle . Full of grace and naturalness Nelly O'Brien (about 1762 London, Wallace Collection ) , sitting in the shade of trees. Bright sun rays penetrating through frequent foliage , fall highlights on her dress, for a little dog , which she holds in her lap. Serene gaze of a young woman draws attention to her affable gentle face.

Simultaneously with realistic , free- unforced portraits Reynolds performed ceremonial and allegorical portraits in the "big statuesque style " ( as it was named by the artist himself ) combine features bright individuality , idealism , rationalism, and elation . Portrayed in elegant robes portrayed against the backdrop of columns, draperies , decorative landscapes. Complex in composition portrait of actress Sarah Siddons as the Muse of Tragedy ( 1784 , San Marino , USA, Huntington Gallery ) . In a majestic pose she sits on the throne , behind which are seen allegory - Crime and Punishment . Portrait turned into a colorful theatrical spectacle , visual portrait characteristics it is combined with allegorical , solemnity. It is this type of artist portraits have become very popular in many aristocratic and bourgeois customers. No time to execute orders personally , Reynolds was forced to seek the help of students , which reduces the quality of his work. However, in the best formal portraits numerous accessories do not overshadow the character portrayed , presented in a state of elation , inspiration. These are portraits of officers on the battlefield. They interpretation of images helps to identify heroic traits. Hoveyan romance sea battles and wandering image of old Admiral Lord Heathfield (1787-1788 , London, National Gallery ) . It costs about guns. Thick strong figure , Distinguishing , energetic , weathered face with small piercing gray eyes gazing out from under bushy eyebrows , a gesture of the hand clutching the key to the fortress of Gibraltar - all this expresses the discipline and perseverance , the willingness to take action. Contrast red tones (in the form of Admiral ) with dark greenish and grayish ( predominant in the landscape before the storm ) emphasizes the monumentality and strength image. Energetic art and dense strong plastic modeling enhance its expressiveness.

Occupying until his death president of the Royal Academy of Arts , Reynolds played the historical and mythological compositions , much effort to educational and social activities. As art theorist Reynolds urged to study the artistic heritage of the past , in particular the art of antiquity and the Renaissance . Adhering views close classicism Reynolds at the same time emphasized the special importance of imagination and feeling , anticipating this aesthetics of romanticism.

References:

1. Farrington, «Memoires of the life of Sir Joshua Reynolds» (L, 1809);

2. Leslie and Taylor, «Life and times of Reynolds» (2 т., L., 1864—1865).

3. Collins, «Sir Joshua Reynolds as portrait-painter» (L., 1873).

4. Chesneau, «Joshua Reynolds» (L., 1887).

5. Cl. Phillips, «Sir Joshua Reynolds» (L., 1893).

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