The exhibition From Orest Kiprensky to Pavel Fedotov, introduces viewers to some of the finest early 19th-century drawings and watercolours from the museum’s holdings. This exhibition showcases close to 100 drawings and watercolours created by Alexei Egorov, Orest Kiprensky, Alexander Orlovsky, the brothers Alexander and Karl Brullov, Alexander Ivanov and Pavel Fedotov, among others.

Early 19th-century studies from life and sketches for history paintings bear ample evidence of the accomplished mastery of Russian academic draughtsmanship. The vibrant, sharply contrasted chiaroscuro accents, strident pencil strokes and masterful crosshatch shading give the feeling that the image was created spontaneously, but at the same time is a complete work of art. In the work of many artists, such as Alexei Egorov, Vasily Shebuev, Orest Kiprensky, Karl Brullov, and a few others, they offer a much broader, more truthful perspective on the artist’s creative progress and legacy than any of their paintings can if viewed on their own.

Perhaps no other artist featured in this show exhibits such diversity of graphic genres as does Alexander Orlovsky. He appears to have drawn portraits, landscapes, genre and battle scenes, and even caricatures with equal passionate intensity. In contrast to Orlovsky, the exquisite portraits by Orest Kiprensky thrive on the subtlest nuances of soft black chalk lines and shading. Standing out among Kiprensky’s works are his portraits of the heroes of Russia’s defence against Napoleon’s invasion in 1812.

Artists in the next generation often preferred watercolour. Brothers Alexander and Karl Brullov found in watercolour an ideal medium for the expression of their creative interests and explorations. Their official and private portraits, often-humorous genre scenes, and their trademark Italian landscapes deserve to be counted among the most significant accomplishments in the history of Russian watercolour painting.

The “Italian genre” captivated Alexander Ivanov as well. The watercolours A Fiancé Buying a Ring for His Bride, Ave Maria and October Festival in Rome were painted during the years when the artist lived in Italy.

The work of Pavel Fedotov completes the history of Russian drawing and watercolour painting of the first half of the 19th century. A genre painter, Fedotov painted scenes from Russian life, expanding the familiar range of characters and introducing notes of satire and poignant tragedy into otherwise mundane settings.

Thousands of works and dozens of artists have been left outside the scope of this exhibition. This, therefore, calls for more such exhibitions in the future, promising more discoveries for lovers and connoisseurs of Russian art.

Age limit: 16+

The exhibition is held in St Michael’s Castle until February 12, 2024.