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Lot Essay
Karl Pavlovich Briullov was the son of an academician of ornamental sculpture, Pavel Briullov. He was born in St. Peterbsurg and at the age of nine became a pupil at the Academy of Arts, where he won many awards. In 1822, Briullov and his brother set off for Italy as beneficiaries of the newly founded Society for the Encouragement of Artists. Briullov's striking talent, good education and independent outlook attracted the attention of his contemporaries and his friends included the leading composers, artists and writers. In 1835, Briullov returned to Russia by order of the Tsar Nicholas I and in 1836 he went to St. Petersburg as Professor at the Academy of Arts.
Briullov's most important work was the Last Day of Pompeii (1833). Its success was such that he was elected honorary member of the Academies of Milan, Bologna, Florence and Parma and awarded a gold medal in Paris.
The portraits of his contemporaries, which Briullov produced in St. Petersburg are the most valuable part of his legacy. His portraits of the eighteen twenties and thirties achieved great success in realist psychological portraiture.
Also a master of watercolour, Briullov painted the portrait of Elisaveta Nicholaevna Lvova, at the request of her son, Aleksei Lvov, to raise his mother's spirits after the recent death of her husband. In her memoirs, Lvova's daughter, the childrens author, Maria Fedorovna Rostovskaya records:
"Briullov came to the house and started working right away. My mother wore mourning dress, she posed without cap. I see her face expressed lots of grief and sorrow. During the session K. Briullov told us a story about our uncle Aleksander Nicholaevich Lvov (1786-1849) whose portrait he painted in Rome in 1824. At that time, Briullov had financial difficulties and Aleksander Lvov paid all his debts without telling him. Only a few months later did Briullov find out about this generosity." The Lvov's remained friends with Briullov up to his death in 1852.
Briullov's most important work was the Last Day of Pompeii (1833). Its success was such that he was elected honorary member of the Academies of Milan, Bologna, Florence and Parma and awarded a gold medal in Paris.
The portraits of his contemporaries, which Briullov produced in St. Petersburg are the most valuable part of his legacy. His portraits of the eighteen twenties and thirties achieved great success in realist psychological portraiture.
Also a master of watercolour, Briullov painted the portrait of Elisaveta Nicholaevna Lvova, at the request of her son, Aleksei Lvov, to raise his mother's spirits after the recent death of her husband. In her memoirs, Lvova's daughter, the childrens author, Maria Fedorovna Rostovskaya records:
"Briullov came to the house and started working right away. My mother wore mourning dress, she posed without cap. I see her face expressed lots of grief and sorrow. During the session K. Briullov told us a story about our uncle Aleksander Nicholaevich Lvov (1786-1849) whose portrait he painted in Rome in 1824. At that time, Briullov had financial difficulties and Aleksander Lvov paid all his debts without telling him. Only a few months later did Briullov find out about this generosity." The Lvov's remained friends with Briullov up to his death in 1852.