Flavitsky Konstantin Dmitrievich
(1830-1866)

Motif "Princess Tarakanova" Konstantin Flavitsky, was born in Moscow on September 13, 1830 in the family of an official. The boy soon became an orphan, and for seven years in the foster home for poor children. The ability to draw it appeared early and it did not go unnoticed. Flavitsky became a pensioner of the Company to promote artists, and then enrolled at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, where he studied with Professor F. Bruni .  AHFlavitsky Petersburg and graduated in 1855 with a gold medal awarded to him for his film "Children of Jacob sell their brother Joseph." Medal gave the right to travel abroad with a view to improving skill. Six years (1856-62), the artist spent in Italy. An original report picturesque Flavitsky has become a big, full of dramatic expression pattern of "Christian martyrs in the Coliseum" (1862, Russian Museum), for which he received an honorary freestyle obshnika Arts. As picture obviously influence to Briullov - academic youth idol middle of the XIX in. Although Flavitsky was listed in Arts student FABruni, in fact he was one of those who idolized Briullov. The first major work Flavitsky had no success. Kramskoj rightly called it "a crackling and theater, devoid of any independent relationship to reality." Was born, two years later, the film "Princess Tarakanova" brought the artist better known.  was painted on the story of Russian history. At its foundation laid event that is semi-legendary character. Tarakanova called illegitimate children of Elizabeth, daughter of Peter I. Accurate historical data about them does not exist. However, it was known that in one of the monasteries in the privacy of living some sort of a nun, "world" bearing the name Tarakanova. This woman was a mystery to all, was under constant guard, but it turned out great honors. She died in the convent. Yet abroad he decided to do a painting dedicated to the unfortunate fate of the famous adventuress. This is evidenced by a drawing made ​​in Italy and is now kept in the State Russian Museum. Returning from abroad, Flavitsky within two years of writing "Princess Tarakanova", showing the last hour of Princess Tarakanova not the way it was in reality. On the canvas was sealed legend rather than historical reality. Flood that covered the waves of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the third on the force in the history of St. Petersburg, was September 21, 1777, when the water rose to 310 centimeters above the ordinary. She died the same Tarakanova almost two years before the flood. As the candidate of historical sciences P.Kann, Tarakanova was enclosed in a wooden prison Alexis Ravelin. On the same picture - a stone dungeon with a large window for the prison. When Tarakanova on the personal orders of the Empress were inseparable three guards. On the canvas it alone. The guards on pain of death could not leave such an important criminal. visited the exhibition Alexander II. His Majesty made ​​a face when she saw blade, Flavitsky. After all, as the picture concerned the acts of his great-grandmother. And the king commanded in the catalog of paintings works against Flavitsky "Princess Tarakanova" make a note that this story is adapted from the novel that does not have any historical truth. " But a wide range of audiences greeted enthusiastically picture. Stasov, a prominent Russian critic and activist art, the exhibition saw blade Flavitsky, called it "a wonderful picture, the glory of our school, a brilliant creation of Russian painting." The picture was a huge success both in St. Petersburg and in Moscow and abroad, including at the World Exhibition in Paris. Indeed, despite some idealized image of the heroine, the artist brings into the picture a sense of real life, is a "low-lying" parts that were previously would not dare to enter into the historical fabric artist academics. On the picture - a legend long existed, and as we can see, and which continues to prevail, even in our time. But does that diminish the power of that great art paintings with which it operates on its visitors overlooks the Tretyakov Gallery? famous collector of Russian art Pavel Tretyakov had a tremendous artistic taste and understanding of the true, art. That's why, when he saw "Princess Tarakanov," he lit up the desire to buy it. Negotiations began with the author, and ended with the brothers Flavitsky. Flavitsky died Sept. 3, 1866, thirty-six years old, died of consumption at the zenith of his fame. He worked in the tradition of the academic school and remained a prisoner of the historical and religious subjects, and remained in the memory of future generations, as the master of one picture. Place in the history of Russian art artist painting won "Princess Tarakanova", which today enjoys the love of the audience.