Naturally, I was very excited when I discovered our core work for Wednesday was more art. I was especially fascinated by the great influences our past painters had on these new ones. Karl Briullov was a central influence upon Konstantin Flavitsky, who fused the rigid skills garnered at the Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg with an elegant realism that culminates in a striking painting:

Princess Tarakanova is depicted facing her death in her prison cell as flood waters rise around her. I was struck by the detailing of her bodice and her sheer beauty contrasted with the despair so present in her expression. The water rushing in, soaking into her sheets and rising to her cot, is a tangible impending fear.

This subject is not peaceful or sweet. It is painful to look at, though its beauty is tragic.

Furthermore, I loved Ivan Kramskoi’s works. As a founder of “The Wanderers”, I was immediately drawn to the rebellious vibe of his art. 

This painting is quite simple yet says so much: “Insulted Jewish Boy” demonstrates a deep humanistic inquiry into a very real situation. The child’s nose is turned up at something; his story is real, and his emotions are real. There is no end-game of this portrait, it does not have any false motive — that is why I love it.

The Unknown Woman is another fascinating work from Kramskoi. She is a unique beauty, unimposing, confident, and her story is entirely her own. Perhaps she is going shopping; perhaps she is on her way to a funeral. What does she know? Maybe its none of our business.