(After Vasily Troponin)
8" x 10", oil on copper
Vasily Troponin (1776-1857) was a russian romantic painter who spent much of his life as a serf. Because of his skills in art, he was forced by his master to copy other artists work for the estate. At age 47 he was finally given his freedom. Even at that late age, he went on to become one of the major Russian artists in the first half of the 19th century, quite prolific and known for his portraits (including Alexander Pushkin). This painting is of his son, Arseny. I found his story of triumph over his life’s circumstances ennobling. The artist always ponders whether he will leave an enduring mark. In his case, he clearly did.
(After Carel Fabritius)
9" x 12", oil on panel
Carel Fabritius (1622-1654) was a student of Rembrandt van Rijn. Some claim he was the only one to develop his own artistic style. He died young, caught in the horrific explosion of the Delft gunpowder magazine on October 12, 1654, which destroyed a quarter of the city, along with his studio and many of his paintings. Only about a dozen paintings (including "the Goldfinch") have survived.