Karl Briullov

Karl Pavlovich Briullov (in Russian КарлПавловичБрюллов ), called by his/her friends large Karl (December 12th 1799, Saint-Petersburg - June 11th 1852, Rome), is the first Russian painter of international stature. He is regarded as a key figure in the transition from the Néoclassicisme to the Romantisme in Russia.

Born French parents with Saint-Petersburg, Carlo Brulleau (orthography of its name until in 1822) felt attracted by the Italy as of its childhood. In spite of its formation in the imperial Academy of arts (1809-1821), Briullov forever really adopted the traditional style taught by its professors and promoted by his brother Alexander Briullov. After being itself distinguished like a promising and imaginative student, it left Russia to go to Rome where it worked until 1835 as portraitist and painter of kind. It obtained a certain fame when it was put at historical painting.

Its table more known, the last day of Pompeii (1830-1833), is a vast composition, compared by Pouchkine and Gogol with best works of Rubens and Van Dyck. It created the feeling in Italy and contributed to the growing reputation of Briullov. After having finished this table, it made a triumphal return in the Russian capital, where he became the friend many members of the aristocracy of intellectual elite. It obtained a station with the imperial academy of arts.

While teaching with the academy, (1836-1848) it developed a style of portrait which combined neo-classic simplicity with a romantic tendency. Its health worsened brutally whereas he worked with the ceiling of the Cathédrale Saint-Isaac. On the opinion of its doctors, Briullov left Russia for Madeira in 1849 and spent its three last years to Italy. It is buried with the protesting cemetery of Rome.

External bonds

Picture gallery of Briullov
Brullov' S paintings At the Russian Art Gallery

Random links: