The novel in color, the story of a portrait

[chealex]

At the beginning represented by the artist, which is described in this story:
Konstantinov Valentin K. - a painter, muralist, sculptor. Born in 1923 in Yalta on Azov. In 1951 he graduated from the Kharkov Art College. She lives in Mariupol. Works in the genre of the portrait, pictures. The monumental work in the technique of mosaic, stained glass, sculptures adorn buildings in Mariupol, Slavic, Artemovsk, Berdyansk, etc. The monument to the poet G. Kostopravu and Metropolitan Ignatius (in collaboration with LN Kuzminkovym). Participant in numerous international, all-Union exhibitions and fairs. He was awarded the Diploma of Presidium of the Supreme USSR in 1990. Member of the Congress of the Federation of Greek Societies of Ukraine. Member of BDB was awarded orders and medals. Pictures are stored in Kharkov XM, Poltava, KG, KM-Mariupol, in private collections in Ukraine, Russia, Greece, Belgium and others
And now we will focus on the portrait.
       "Portrait" Astrit Brandt can be attributed to the heights of creativity Valentina Konstantinova. The artist also found this picture of his artistic success. Portrait made with a clear eye to the classical heritage of Russian artists V. Serov, and Repin. However, in this case we can talk about creative practice, rather than on "viewers' interest in classical art, is present in almost all artists. Constantine imitates the classics, he learns from them and at the same time as if arguing with them. The artist argues reality itself, with life itself and it seems, gives him pleasure.
It is extremely demanding of themselves, the artist, as a rule, he wrote of people close to him in spirit. So who is this Astrit Brandt, inspiring the artist to such a great portrait?
Here is what was written about our heroine N. Adzhavenko in his article "Portraiture Valentina Konstantinova (see the newspaper" Chronos », № 3 (43), March 2001):

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«... She appeared in Mariupol in the late 50-ies under very unusual for that time circumstances. In his homeland, in Germany, Astra - a promising photographer - married a Russian musician. She and her husband moved to the Soviet Union, settled in Mariupol. Got a job in a photo studio. The KGB for her as a citizen of a capitalist country, of course, was put under observation. Husband Asters authorities openly instructed to divorce her. In the end, he could not stand the pressure. Astra returned home alone. Soon received a large inheritance. She opened the cosmetics company "Astra Brandt. Even in Mariupol young woman met with the family of the artist Valentina Konstantinova. They became friends. That was how beautiful the model that inspired the master to two beautiful portrait ... "
One of the portraits I bought directly from the author, and now he is the ornament of my collection. The second was purchased by a Belgian, and most likely removed from Ukraine. Incidentally, this portrait was taken as the basis logo cosmetic company Astra Brandt. This I told the artist himself. He also said that Astrit sent him a gift the spirits of his company, which flaunted her portrait work of Konstantinov. The old artist told me that he had a passionate affair with the heroine of the portrait. Although without these words of recognition can be seen - a portrait of love permeates ... absorbing ... without a trace. The broad, free, in one breath brushwork highlight this feeling.
By what means Konstantinov was able to show the depth of the character image of her own? And the words of the author, he worked with a large portrait of creative inspiration.
A major role in the film belongs to the composition, the characteristic capabilities which the author beautifully embodied in his work. The impression of dynamics, energy, largely determines the emotional tone of the portrait, achieved a number of accurately detected compositional methods. Arrangement of working on the characteristic image of the portrait. It equally concerns and color portrait.
In an old chair, we see a young, attractive woman in a housecoat. Her hair is tightly rounded rear light strip. One hand touches the arm chair and give the impression that they are beyond the plane of the frame. The author, as it brings its own model to the viewer. The left arm with a cigarette for a moment artistically stuck in the air. 'Nepropisannost' hands, but rather that draft and the ease with which it portrayed an artist, give the gesture of grace and aristocracy.
The pose in which the artist depicted his model, also gives her "rock". Before us a woman with a strong character, intelligent and charming. A person of self-sufficient, capable of insane passion, able to achieve in life goals. View looking away from the viewer, gives her innermost emotions.
Spirited image is largely achieved spectacular build a picture - warm colors, rich vibrant modeling forms. Wonderfully written by the person with his dense writing, temperament, based not on the motion of the brush, and the confident identification of the large form, sturdy figure. In the face paint is not "flesh-colored, mixed from certain colors. We see the artistic equivalent of plastic verified everything you see.
Deep golden - black velvet coloring, non-rigid, but energetic textures makes room pasty color masonry, very lively game of black and white - all so strange, increases emotional sonority portrait.
A certain pressure in the portrait is "Still Life", located on the table, as well as a picture hanging on the wall. A bottle of wine, glasses and a dark cloth on the white tablecloths are more artistic metaphor. They seem to emphasize the independent nature of the model, its bohemian and egocentrism. Painting in an expensive frame above the table tells us that the Astra is not alien to the art. Perhaps it is a gift of her friend - an artist, but perhaps a kind of "signature" by the portrait.
Simultaneously, "Still Life" brings into the picture genre component. In the picture, as if invisible, presence, and author of works for a moment left the intimate feast. You can imagine the artist at this moment standing at the easel and the creative impulse is building up this image.
When the portrait was finished and shown in public, it triggered an indignant criticism of censors of art. Such "prandial" portrait not need to Soviet viewers - considered the "look out" party organs. To show the portrait in the exhibition, the artist had to seal the bottle in the "still life" paper and write on top of its neutral background. Later, when times are "warmer", the artist pulled the paper from the record and portrait acquired its original appearance.

[chealex]

I'll show you a few more portraits VK

[chealex]

Here, finally found a portrait Astritt Brandt, who served as the basis for the company logo on production of cosmetics. The artist kept a bottle of perfume with the portrait of a logo, which he sent his model. Unfortunately, have not been able to find it in his "artistic disorder." Artist in 87 years today.
A portrait was bought by a collector from Belgium 10 years ago.