MASTERS’ FIERINESS AND FEARLESSNESS (ABOUT ORIGINS OF A. A. IVANOV’S ART TRADITION IN NATIONAL CULTURE)

Melnikov Vladimir Leonidovich

The article reveals the artistic tradition origins of Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov, the genius of Russian painting, after analysing the content of his letters. His travels around Italy and its neighbouring countries identify prerequisites of forming the artist’s character. There is described development of the artist’s thinking and his heyday as an iconic and historical painter working on the canvas “The appearance of Christ to the people”. The author specifies development of the painter’s political interests tied with his love for the Motherland, and characterises communication with famous like-minded figures. The article determines value of the painter’s letters for the younger generation and evaluates the artwork for his admirers. Finally, the focus is on A. A. Ivanov as “a forever leading person”.

Keywords:painting, artistic creativity, heyday, Ivanov’s followers, letters.