Description of the painting by Vasily Tropinin “Lacemaker”

Description of the painting by Vasily Tropinin Lacemaker

One of the most famous works of the Russian artist V. A. Tropinin is the “Lacemaker” canvas. The author created it at the age of 47, in the year of receiving his freestyle (1823). The painting “Lace maker” was warmly welcomed by both critics and viewers. She became a real pearl of Russian art.

Tropinin opened a new type of portrait genre to the gaze of the spectators. Masterfully, he portrayed the image of a needlewoman and her hard work. Only one moment is captured from the daily life of a young peasant woman: she is needlework.

The young face of the serf girl looks very pretty. She looked away from the lace and playfully looks at the one who entered the room. The whole look of the girl, her good mood indicates that such work brings her joy.

On this canvas, the artist fully revealed his talent as a painter. Before us appears an amazing picture with a natural color and excellent lighting. When depicting the heroine, Tropinin uses a light palette, introducing shades of silver and lilac colors into it. Quaintly details the master of the brush and the improvised objects of the lace-maker – linen and bobbin.

The artist so idealized the heroine of the picture that she was completely different from the peasant serf. It seems that in her hands too much tenderness, look cutesy, and the movements are too subtle. Such a move Tropinin used to make the public believe in the modesty and good nature of the girl. All everyday problems remain outside the canvas, however, the viewer can only guess about the timid movement of the peasant’s shoulders and some of its constraints.

In The Lacemaker, Tropinin exalted the beauty of human labor. He showed that no hard living conditions can prevent a person to be happy, while maintaining a sense of inner dignity.


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Description of the painting by Vasily Tropinin “Lacemaker”