Kramskoy painting "mermaids" or a mystical dream. Makovsky K.E.

Many artists dedicated their paintings to the mysterious, amazing, fabulous and mythological maidens of rivers, seas and oceans. Mermaids have occupied the minds of people since ancient times, so it is not surprising that even the greatest artists paid their attention to these beautiful and dangerous creatures.

Mermaids are mythological and fairy-tale creatures that are present in the mythology of many peoples of the world. Amazing feature The beauty of these creatures is that they combine things that arouse sincere curiosity in people. And the point here is not even that mermaids are residents underwater world, which for a long time was not studied by people and represented a certain mysterious world, inhabited by strange creatures. The reason here lies completely different.

Mermaids have two main characteristics that work well together.

Firstly, mermaids are beautiful maidens. IN different cultures the world's mermaids were imagined either with a fish tail or completely similar to a person, but first of all they were real beauties, who simply have no equal. Perhaps a man’s love for a mermaid is sung in all cultures of the world.

Secondly, mermaids are extremely dangerous creatures (judging by the same myths and fairy tales). Meeting with mermaids, nymphs, nereids, etc. does not promise anything good man. Many legends say that a meeting with a mermaid can be very dangerous for a person, since, despite the fact that they are crazy beauties, first of all they remain creatures of their own world, which is hostile to the human world.

It is this duality that arouses human interest. A beautiful maiden, with whom you can fall in love at first sight, and who will always remain unapproachable for a person, who cannot be approached and who cannot be touched - this is the very factor that arouses interest and curiosity in fairy-tale (and maybe not fairy-tale) creatures .

K. Vasiliev - Mermaid

J. Waterhouse - Mermaid

“The mermaid has a shimmering look,
Midnight's dying gaze
It shines, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter,
When the winds of the sea scream.
The mermaid has a charming look,
The mermaid has sad eyes.”

Nikolay Gumilyov RUSALKA

Mermaids– came from Ukrainian mythology. The character is mostly female and appears on earth during green day (this is the week before Orthodox holiday Trinity and the week after) and according to the legends of our ancestors, it was at this time that it was not recommended to swim in reservoirs.

Mermaids- these are such mythological creatures that have always attracted, attract and will attract many creators: poets, artists, sculptors, musicians, writers. The world of legends and secrets has attracted people at all times and centuries; the desire to come into contact with this world excites the imagination and forces us to create masterpieces of world art. Secret and mysterious works fascinate and enchant amateurs, art connoisseurs and people far from art.

One of interesting works, in my subjective opinion, an English artist of the 20th century John William Waterhouse . It is famous for its mythological, female images. And I like his painting (shown below in the photo gallery), on his canvas the Mermaid froze combing her hair, sitting on the seashore, perhaps she saw a man in the distance and thought, dreaming of earthly love. In some places mermaids were considered evil spirits , which have a fish tail instead of legs. They swam ashore, singing delightful songs in unearthly voices and combing their beautiful braids, luring lost fishermen and travelers into the water and killing them.

Among the ancient Slavs, mermaids were associated with the cult of fertility. Round dance songs were performed in which the mermaids were called upon to help the grain grow. They owned wells and lakes and knew how to control natural elements. Beautiful girls with flowing hair obey God Yarila and his father Veles. Over time, mermaids became akin to evil spirits - the souls of drowned unmarried girls who committed suicide. Such mermaids lived in bodies of water (lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps); they could also choose a tree on the shore for housing: willow or birch. During the day they dance in circles and sing songs; at night they splash in the water, comb their long hair. They were afraid of them, they could steal unbaptized girls or drown a woman who went swimming without wearing a cross (they too would become mermaids), and lost people could be tickled to death, led astray, lured into water or do small dirty tricks, for example, tangling nets from fishermen, steal and spoil yarn, threads, linen. It was also believed that mermaids were able to control natural elements and could send storms, downpours, hail, and drought to the fields. More by folk beliefs mermaids can save a drowning person. But more often they were feared and wormwood, garlic, and horseradish were used as protection and amulets.

According to traditional Ukrainian ideas mermaids look little different from people; they are beauties with luxurious hair, beautifully built, long-legged. And, for example, in Greece they are called Sirens - these are beautiful maidens with a fish tail instead of legs. In the Baltics, Undines are typical mermaids with fish tails.

Therefore, on the canvases of artists, mermaids have different appearance and character. But more often on the canvases they are still beautiful girls with sad eyes and with a thoughtful look and at the same time seducing and attracting men with their appearance, movement, dance, voice.

"Mermaid". 1992. Sergey Petrovich Panasenko (Mikhalkin).





Victor Nizovtsev “In the mirror. Iary”
Earthly baby J.Collier. 1909

The theme of mermaids is interesting because everyone sees them differently. It’s especially nice when your ideas coincide with others. And if they are also painted on canvas... I would like to introduce you to five famous artists, whose paintings you might have seen on the Internet.
1. Viktor Nizovtsev, illustrator.
Victor was born in 1965 in Ulan-Ude. There he first graduated from the art academy, then entered the capital of Moldova, where he graduated from college and finally from institute. On this moment the artist lives in the USA with his wife and little daughter.
A distinctive feature of this artist’s works is the bright contrast that creates a characteristic fabulous atmosphere. Many of his works echo each other, such as the painting of mermaids and frogs.

In our age high technology, most illustrations are done on computers. Lovers traditional painting There is very little left in this direction. That is why the works of Viktor Nizovtsev become more attractive, because here there is only the canvas, the brush and the soul of the artist.
More photo of Viktor Nizovtsev's works with mermaids

Notice how beautifully and realistically the scales on the little mermaid are drawn. They shine, shimmer in all colors and look like real ones. The Little Mermaid appears before us as fairy creature with beautiful long hair.

2. Vladimir von Kozak
Modern Russian artist from Tver. About his works, he says that “most of all he likes to paint women and airplanes. On the contrary, first the planes, then the women.”
Which does not stop him from developing the theme of mermaids in his work. His plots can be completely different, from humor to tragedy.
Photos of Kazak's works with mermaids

3. Viktor Korolkov
Viktor Korolkov can be classified as a Slavic artist. Almost all of his works use the theme of old Rus', with its mythology and paganism, to reveal the plot. Before you start new picture, Victor prefers to thoroughly study the chosen topic in order to avoid mistakes in history. This is why his paintings depict aspects from the past so well.
Photos of the artist's works

The works represent fairy tale images mermaids in Rus'.

4. Pavel Orinyansky
Initially this artist did not plan to devote himself to art, and even graduated from Suvorov military school, after entering the Leningrad Military Topographical Institute. But nature took its toll and the artist re-enrolled as an art major in Mukha, where he plunged headlong into creativity.
Pavel works in the Art Nouveau style and has worked as an illustrator for various publishing houses. Many of our readers may remember him from his works for “Ruslan and Lyudmila” and “The Master and Margarita”.
The theme of mermaids did not bypass him either. Perhaps because Art Nouveau welcomes plastic forms, which we can often observe in magical half-maidens.
Photos of works

5. Boris Olshansky
Boris Olshansky is a supporter of the old school of academicism. At the beginning of its creative career(as well as now) I trained to write works from life and from memory. His skill completely dispels the theory that academicism kills creativity.
In the subjects of his paintings, Boris prefers the Slavic direction. Often illustrates Russian folk tales.
Photos of works

Despite the fact that now you could see many works by five artists at once, you should not forget what exactly connects them. Namely, the theme of magical mermaids

In the history of classical Russian painting there are many mysterious and amazing episodes, allowing us to talk about the existence of paintings with a “bad reputation”. This list includes several works by the famous Itinerant artist Ivan Kramskoy. The largest number of legends is associated with his painting “Mermaids”.

I. Repin. Portrait of the artist I. N. Kramskoy, 1882. Fragment

The artist’s idea for “Mermaids” arose under the impression of N. Gogol’s story “May Night, or the Drowned Woman.” According to popular beliefs, drowned girls became mermaids after death. It was these that Ivan Kramskoy decided to write. This topic was quite unexpected and new for the realist artist. The artist loved Gogol very much and re-read all his works many times. He wanted to convey the very atmosphere of “May Night”, to immerse the viewer in the mysterious world of Ukrainian folklore.

I. Kramskoy. Self-portrait, 1867

While working on the painting, the artist was haunted by several themes. Firstly, he was obsessed with the idea of ​​conveying the mesmerizing beauty of moonlight, which he never succeeded in: “I’m still trying to catch the moon at the moment. They say, however, that a particle of the moonlit night did end up in my picture, but not all of it. The moon is a difficult thing…” the artist lamented. The task was complicated by the fact that the moon itself was not in the picture - only its reflections on the ghostly figures of mermaids.

M. Derigus. Illustration for N. Gogol’s story *May Night, or the Drowned Woman*: Ganna, 1951

Secondly, the very topic of ghosts and the other world was said to be dangerous. Many of Kramskoy’s contemporaries seriously believed that Gogol’s subjects could drive painters crazy. “I’m glad that I didn’t completely break my neck with such a plot, and if I didn’t catch the moon, then something fantastic still came out,” said Kramskoy.

A. Kanevsky. Illustration for N. Gogol's story *May Night, or the Drowned Woman*: The Liberation of the Sister-in-Law

Critics agreed that the idea was successfully realized, and called the picture “the extreme plausibility of a fantastic dream”: “We are so tired of all these gray peasants, clumsy village women, worn-out officials... that the appearance of a work like “May Night” should make the most pleasant, refreshing impression on the public.” However, that's where the favorable responses ended. And then the mysticism began.

V. Vlasov. Illustration for N. Gogol’s story *May Night, or the Drowned Woman*: Sleeping Levko, 1946

At the first exhibition of the Association of Peredvizhniki “Mermaids,” I. Kramskoy was hung next to A. Savrasov’s painting “The Rooks Have Arrived.” At night, the landscape suddenly fell from the wall - then they joked that the mermaids did not like such a neighborhood. However, soon there was no time for jokes.

After the exhibition, P. Tretyakov purchased both paintings for his gallery. A place was immediately found for the “Rooks” - in the office, but for a long time they could not find the “Mermaids” suitable place, hung from room to room. The fact is that from the hall where Kramskoy’s painting was hung, barely audible singing could be heard at night and there was a breath of coolness, like water. The cleaners refused to enter the premises.

O. Jonaitis. Illustration for the story by N. Gogol *May Night, or the Drowned Woman*

Not prone to mysticism, Tretyakov did not believe the rumors, but one day he himself noticed that he felt tired when he was near this painting for a long time. Gallery visitors also complained about what to look at long time this picture is simply impossible. And soon rumors appeared that the young ladies who looked at the “Mermaids” for a long time went crazy, and one of them drowned herself in the Yauza. Of course, there is strong evidence of the relationship between the incident and art gallery did not have.

O. Jonaitis. Illustration for the story by N. Gogol *May Night, or the Drowned Woman*

An old nanny who lived in the Tretyakov family advised hanging the painting in the far corner so that the light would not fall on it during the day: “It’s difficult for mermaids to sunlight, that’s why they can’t calm down even at night. And as soon as they fall into the shadows, they will immediately stop chattering!” Tretyakov, far from superstitious, nevertheless listened to the advice. Since then, gallery visitors have not complained about this painting.

I. Kramskoy. Mermaids, 1871

Ivan Kramskoy. Mermaids.
(based on a plot from N.V. Gogol’s “May Night”).
1871. Oil on canvas. 88 x 132.
Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.

It was decided to open the first exhibition of the partnership at the end of 1871. For this exhibition, Kramskoy wanted to finish work on the painting “Mermaids”. Many years ago Kramskoy wrote in his diary: “Oh, what amazing person there was this Gogol! He lovedGogol, reread all his works many times, especially “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka.” And now, reading “May Night,” he again plunged into the world of Ukrainian folk tale with its witches, sorcerers, mermaids, and magical moonlit nights. And even though this is just a fairy tale, and the house on the mountain, and the dense forest, and the deep, overgrown pond, and mermaid girls seem fabulous, but in every fairy tale there is always a grain of truth, and Kramskoy wanted to paint the picture in such a way that the viewer behind this fairy tale saw real life, heard a soulful Ukrainian song, felt concern and pity for those “earthly” peasant girls whose fate was so sad.

The painting cost Kramskoy a lot of work. Sketches have been preserved that clearly show how the artist gradually moved away from the illustrative method and sought a means of pictorial embodiment of the poetry of a moonlit night: that “fairy-tale impression” about which he wroteVasilievin August 1871, when, having belatedly arrived at the estate of P.S. Stroganov, Khoten, Kharkov province, where they had agreed to meet, he no longer found Vasiliev, who had left for Yalta. The influence that twenty-year-old Vasiliev had not only on his peers, but also on Kramskoy, is evidenced by the painting itself and the letters. Kramskoy was never able to achieve a result that would satisfy him: “I’m still trying to catch the moon. They say, however, that a particle of the moonlit night did end up in my picture, but not all of it. The moon is a difficult thing."

“Catching the moon,” showing how in its light everything transforms, becomes wonderful, a little alarming, was painfully difficult. But he still “caught” the moon and painted a wonderful poetic picture of a moonlit night.

The painting represents the river bank in moonlit night. On the right is a hillock with a manor on it, surrounded by poplars. There is a forest in the background. On a bank overgrown with reeds, on the trunk of a fallen giant poplar thrown across the river, in the soft waves of moonlight, a whole host of drowned women settled down. Their picturesque poses are sad, their pale faces are full of hopeless melancholy. The whole picture bears a deep stamp of poetry and quiet sadness. The general tone is in harmony with the nature of the artist’s talent, who himself considered himself to be among the “quiet” ones.

Kramskoy himself was not entirely satisfied with the painting - his demands on himself knew no bounds. Several times he began to redo the painting, and even a year after it was bought by Tretyakov, he wrote to him and asked him to send the painting: “I wanted to rework it a little, in the summer I saw something else, and I would like to correct it.”

And yet, Kramskoy’s work was in its own way significant for Russian painting, since in it, like in “Grandmother’s Tales” by V.M. Maksimov, interest in folk poetry first appeared, still indirect, perceived in literary processing, but already paving the way the path that will be followed firstV.M.Vasnetsov, and then other Russian artists.

Reviewers noted with great pleasure in Kramskoy’s film the “extreme plausibility of a fantastic dream,” and such rare qualities contemporary art as sincerity, absence of falsehood, lies, bias. “We are so tired of all these gray peasants, clumsy village women, worn-out officials... that the appearance of a work like “May Night” should make the most pleasant, refreshing impression on the public,” noted the press about the exhibition.

Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky Mermaids 1879