FACES OF RUSSIA: AN EXHIBITION OF MARIA POLENOVA (1816-1895)

Maria A. Polenov (1816-1895)

Maria A. Polenov (nee Voeikov) talented artist, portraitist, the mother of great Russian painters Vasily Polenov and Helena.
  L.O.Pasternak wrote: "As soon as ever to visit the hospitable home of Polenov in Krivokolennyi alley, and in addition to the overall atmosphere and style of the environment, created with the help of a friend and his wife Natalia V., at least once to see his mother, who was sitting at needlework and always took an active part in the lively discussions for afternoon tea after our evenings of drawing to accurately imagine the spirit and direction of what was supposed to give this medium works of Polenov. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that this noble, yet cheerful old lady in gray hair, parted in the middle, with black tulle hairpin, always nice dressed with dignity, should be attributed to the category of the best Russian nobility, which from among its gave of Decembrists and its environment is in their best representatives continually for centuries gave people without fearing any scaffold, or a reference to hard labor, who gave up his power and his life to the service of the Russian people, who longed to this day of liberation of the people from slavery and familiarizing it to European culture. "

         Future artist received an excellent classical education at home. Her mother Vera Voeikov (nee. Lviv), orphaned early, was brought up in a family of her aunt D.A.Dyakovoy – Gr. Derzhavin second wife. Knowledge of history, literature and art, and foreign languages, received in Derzhavin house, she passed already their children. Vera strongly supported precocious daughter interest in art. Mary spent his childhood in Olshanka, his father's estate in the Tambov Province. The surrounding nature and talent gave rise to further creativity. After the death of his father Alexei Vasilievich Voeikov, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, the family moved to St. Petersburg. The desire to learn how to draw and write professionally oil is not gone, but receive special education at the Academy of Arts was not possible because women there just did not take. She took lessons from academic painting K.A.Moldavskogo. Through her husband D.V.Polenova. Maria A. was familiar with K.Bryullov, F. Bruni and other famous artists. With a natural talent, hard work, a great interest in art, Maria A. was able to achieve professional excellence. Her work has met all the requirements of the Academy to the figure in the nineteenth century.

Another K.Bryullov considered necessary drawing school, encouraging students to daily training. He wrote, "must be able to draw before becoming an artist. The mechanism should be developed at an early age to the artist, began to think and feel, conveyed his thoughts without any difficulty. "Figures Mary Alekseevny Polenova, concentrated in itself all the characteristic features of the Russian academic school of drawing, at the same time not lose their individuality Expressive taken from the people, the complete spiritual perfection, purity and grace. Texture of fabric, color, drape and body artist transmits only the tone and it is perfectly possible. The exhibition features portraits taken with costumed models. Her works were a good school for my son, daughter and younger generations of their fellow artists and were a shining example of how to relate to the drawing. Sure, she had a great influence on the choice of life of their children. My mother taught them correctly pencil in hand to hold and operate oil. V.D.Polenov wrote that from his mother he inherited a love of art, but he inherited her talent, this will tell posterity ... At Maria Alekseevny have interesting oil paintings, she has written, illustrated book for children "Summer in Tsarskoye Selo" which was reprinted several times, the last edition was illustrated by a young generation of artists. People to treat the artist with great respect.
Figures Mary Alekseevny Polenova made in the nineteenth century, of course, of great interest to professionals and art lovers in the XXI century.