State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Inv. No. 22501
By 1935, having painted many portraits of V.I. Lenin, I.V. Stalin and other Soviet leaders, A.M. Gerasimov became one of the greatest masters of socialist realism. Tired of the struggle for official recognition and success, he went to rest in his home and beloved city of Kozlov. This is where the " Wet terrace».
The artist’s sister recalled how the painting was painted. Her brother was literally shocked by the appearance of their garden after one unusually heavy rain. “There was a fragrance of freshness in nature. The water lay in a whole layer on the foliage, on the floor of the gazebo, on the bench and sparkled, creating an extraordinary picturesque chord. And further, behind the trees, the sky cleared and turned white.
Mitya, hurry up and get the palette! - Alexander shouted to his assistant Dmitry Rodionovich Panin. The painting, which my brother called “Wet Terrace,” appeared with lightning speed - it was painted within three hours. Our modest garden gazebo with a corner of the garden received poetic expression under my brother’s brush.”
At the same time, the picture that arose spontaneously was not painted by chance. Picturesque motif Nature refreshed by rain attracted the artist even during his years of study at the School of Painting. He was good at wet objects, roofs, roads, grass. Alexander Gerasimov, perhaps without even realizing it, was heading towards this painting for many years and latently I wanted to see with my own eyes what we now see on the canvas. Otherwise, he could simply not pay attention to the rain-drenched terrace.
There is no strain in the film, no rewritten parts or invented plot. It was truly written in one breath, as fresh as the breath of green leaves washed by rain. The image captivates with its spontaneity; the artist’s lightness of feelings is visible in it.
The artistic effect of the painting was largely predetermined by the high painting technique based on reflexes (See fragment). “Lush reflections of garden greenery fell on the terrace, pinkish and blue reflections fell on the wet surface of the table. The shadows are colorful, even multicolored. The reflections on the moisture-covered boards are cast in silver. The artist used glazes, applying new layers of paint on top of the dried layer - translucent and transparent, like varnish. On the contrary, some details, such as garden flowers, are painted impasto, emphasized by textured strokes. A major, elevated note is brought into the picture by backlighting, the technique of lighting from behind, point-blank, the crowns of trees are somewhat reminiscent of flickering stained glass windows” (Kuptsov I. A. Gerasimov. After the Rain // Young artist. 1988. No. 3. P. 17.).
In Russian painting of the Soviet period there are few works where the state of nature would be so expressively conveyed. I believe this is best picture A. M. Gerasimova. The artist lived long life, wrote many canvases on different subjects, for which he received many awards and prizes, but at the end of the journey, looking back on what he had passed, he considered this work to be the most significant.
Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov is a prominent representative of socialist realism in painting. He became famous for his portraits depicting party leaders. But there are also very lyrical works in his work, landscapes, still lifes, images of Russian life. Thanks to them, “After the Rain” is known today (description of the painting, history of creation, expressiveness) - this is the topic of this article.
curriculum vitae
Gerasimov A.M. born into the family of a merchant from the city of Kozlov (modern Michurinsk) in the Tambov region on August 12, 1881. He spent his childhood and youth in this town; he loved to come here even when he became a famous artist.
From 1903 to 1915 he studied at the Moscow art school, immediately after the end of which he was mobilized to the front, the First world war. From 1918 to 1925, the artist lived and worked in his hometown, and then returned to Moscow, joined the artists’ association and a few years later became its president.
Gerasimov A.M. survived periods of ups and downs, was loved by the artist Stalin, received large number professional awards and titles. And during the time of Khrushchev he fell out of favor.
The artist died in 1963, 3 weeks before his 82nd birthday.
The artist's creative path
Gerasimov studied with major painters late XIX- early 20th centuries - K.A. Korovina, A.E. Arkhipova, At the Beginning creative path He painted mainly pictures of folk life, depicting Russian nature with its modest and touching beauty. During this period, the following were created: “The rye was mowed down” (1911), “Heat” (1912), “Bouquet of flowers. Window" (1914).
IN Soviet era the artist turned to Gerasimov, who discovered a talent for capturing amazingly accurately characteristic features, achieving a great portrait resemblance. Gradually, high-ranking people, party leaders and leaders began to predominate among the heroes of his paintings: Lenin, Stalin, Voroshilov and others. His paintings are distinguished by a solemn mood and are not without some poster pathos.
By the mid-30s of the 20th century, the artist became largest representative socialist realism in painting. In 1935 he left for hometown to take a break from work and spend time with your family. It was in Kozlov that A.M. wrote. Gerasimov “After the Rain” is a painting that brought him fame as a wonderful landscape painter.
During the years of Stalin's rule, Gerasimov held responsible leadership positions. He headed the Moscow branch of the Union of Artists, the Association of Soviet Artists, and the USSR Academy of Arts.
The history of the painting “After the Rain” by Gerasimov
The artist’s sister once told about the history of the painting’s creation. The family was relaxing on the terrace of their home when it suddenly began to rain heavily. But Alexander Mikhailovich did not hide from him, as the rest of the household did. He was shocked by how the drops of water that had accumulated on the leaves, on the floor, on the table shimmered different colors how fresh and transparent the air became, how, having hit the ground like a shower, the sky began to brighten and clear. He ordered a palette to be brought to him and in just three hours he created a landscape stunning in its expressiveness. The artist Gerasimov called this painting “After the Rain.”
However, the landscape, painted so quickly and swiftly, was not accidental in the artist’s work. Even while studying at school, he loved to depict wet objects: roads, plants, roofs of houses. He managed to convey glare of light, bright, rain-washed colors. Perhaps A.M. has been going to this landscape for many years. Gerasimov. “After the Rain” was the result of creative quests in this direction. If there were no such background, we would not have seen the painting being described.
A.M. Gerasimov “After the Rain”: description of the painting
The plot of the picture is surprisingly simple and laconic. A corner of a wooden terrace, a bouquet of flowers on a round dining table and lush green foliage making up the background. By the shine of the wooden surfaces, the viewer understands that heavy rain has recently stopped. But moisture does not create a feeling of dampness and discomfort. On the contrary, it seems that the rain muffled the summer heat and filled the space with freshness.
It feels like the picture was created in one go. There is no strain or heaviness in it. She absorbed the artist’s mood: light, peaceful. The greenery of the trees and flowers in the bouquet are written slightly carelessly. But the viewer easily forgives the artist for this, realizing that he was in a hurry to catch this wonderful moment of harmony with nature.
Expressive means
This landscape (A.M. Gerasimov “After the Rain”), description of the painting, means of expression, used by the artist, give art critics reason to talk about the author’s high painting technique. Despite the fact that the painting looks simple and even careless, the master’s talent was revealed in it. Rainwater made the colors more saturated. Wooden surfaces not only shine, but also reflect the color of greenery, flowers and the sun, and shine with silver and gold.
An overturned glass on the table also attracts attention. This seemingly insignificant detail clarifies a lot and makes the plot easy to read. It becomes clear that the rain began unexpectedly and rapidly, taking people by surprise and forcing them to hastily collect the dishes from the table. Only one glass and a bouquet of garden flowers were forgotten.
One of my own best works A.M. himself believed Gerasimov - “After the Rain”. The description of the painting presented in this article shows that this work is one of the most significant not only in the artist’s work, but throughout Soviet painting.
The artist Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov stood at the origins of the new, Soviet pictorial art. He painted many official, “ceremonial” and informal, “everyday” portraits of the leaders of the top officials of the state, including Lenin and Stalin, representatives of the Bolshevik and communist intelligentsia. He captured and major events in the life of the country - the launch of a metro station, a round date of celebration October Revolution. A multiple winner of the Stalin Prize, awarded medals and orders, including the Order of Lenin, Honored Artist, First President of the Academy of Arts, Alexander Mikhailovich, at the same time, did not consider these works to be the main ones in his work. His most expensive creation was a small canvas, very simple in plot, which, however, reflected true soul great Artist, Masters.
"Wet Terrace"
This is Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain”, the second title of which is “Wet Terrace”. It is known to every schoolchild for several generations now, it is included in school curriculum as a tool for teaching essay writing. Reproductions from the canvas are placed in Russian language textbooks for grades 6-7 (various editions). Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain” itself is in one of the exhibition halls of the Tretyakov Gallery. It is painted in oil on canvas, the size of the work is small - 78 by 85 cm. Spectators invariably crowd in front of the canvas, carefully peer into the details, study, admire, and absorb into themselves.
Best creation
In Soviet painting, especially in the first half of the 20th century, there are very few works of the same type as Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain.” Subtle lyricism, amazingly accurate rendering of a poetically pure, fresh atmosphere summer nature, washed by rain, rich colors, special energy - all this makes the artist’s work completely special. No wonder the master considered her and only her his best creation. Time has confirmed the prioritization. Of course, the author’s brilliant talent is clearly demonstrated in his other works. But it was Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain” that survived ideological storms and disputes and turned out to be timeless, outside the politicization of art, proving its true aesthetic value.
Creating a Masterpiece
Let's go back to 1935. What is happening at this time in the USSR? Firstly, the 7th Congress of Soviets, significant for important government decisions. The Congress of Shock Workers and Collective Farmers, at which the working peasantry reports to the government about their loyalty to the chosen course. The movement of multi-loom weavers begins. The first line of the Moscow metro is being launched. Being in the thick of events, Gerasimov responds to them with bright, original creativity. By 1935 he moved to the forefront the best masters socialist painting. However, the artist feels more and more clearly a certain spiritual breakdown, fatigue and a desire to abandon everything and go to his homeland, to the distant provincial town of Kozlov, in the Tambov region, to relax.
Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain” was painted there. The story of the creation of the masterpiece has come down to us in the memoirs of his sister. The artist was delighted with the garden completely transformed after a heavy downpour, the wet terrace sparkling like a mirror, the extraordinary freshness and fragrance of the air, the most unusual atmosphere reigning in nature. In feverish impatience, taking up the palette, Alexander Mikhailovich in one breath, in just 3 hours, painted a canvas that was included in the golden fund of Russian and Soviet landscape painting.
Starting to analyze the work (lesson element)
As already mentioned, in school course Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain” is being analyzed. Writing on it helps develop communication skills. writing, creative abilities of students, contributes to the formation aesthetic taste, subtle perception of nature. Let us also take a closer look at this wonderful painting. We already know in what year Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain” was painted - in 1935, in the summer. In the foreground we see a corner of a wooden terrace. It shines dazzlingly, as if carefully polished and varnished. The heaviest summer rain had just ended. Nature has not yet had time to come to its senses, it is all alarmed and disheveled, and the last drops are still falling with a resounding thud onto the wooden floorboards. Dark brown, with standing puddles, they reflect every object like a mirror. The breaking sun leaves its warm golden reflections on the floor.
Foreground
What is unusual about Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain”? It is difficult to describe the canvas in parts and fragments. It leaves a stunning impression on the viewer as a whole. Every detail of Gerasimov’s work is significant and harmonious. Here are the railings and the bench. Closer to the inside of the veranda they are darker, since this part of the terrace is less illuminated. But where the sun still rarely hits, there are more and more golden highlights, and the color of the tree itself is warm, yellow-brown.
To the left of the viewer on the terrace there is a table on graceful carved legs. The figured tabletop, dark in itself, seems completely black because the wood is wet. Like everything around, it sparkles like a mirror, reflecting an overturned glass, a jug with a bouquet, and the increasingly lighter sky after a thunderstorm. Why did the artist need this piece of furniture? It fits organically into the surrounding environment; without it, the terrace would be empty, giving the impression of being uninhabited and uncomfortable. The table brings into the picture a hint of a friendly family, hospitable tea parties, and a joyful, cordial atmosphere. A glass glass, turned over by a whirlwind and miraculously not falling, speaks of how strong the wind and rain were. The disheveled flowers in the bouquet and scattered petals hint at the same thing. White, red and pink roses look especially touching and defenseless. But we can imagine how sweet and tender they smell now, washed by the rain. This jug and the roses in it look incredibly poetic. 
Background of the painting
And outside the terrace the garden is noisy and wild. Raindrops roll down from the wet leaves in large beads. It is clean, dark green, bright, fresh, the kind that only happens after a refreshing shower. Looking at the picture, you begin to very clearly feel the heady smell of wet greenery and sun-warmed earth, flowers from the garden and something else very dear, close, dear, for which we love nature. Behind the trees you can see the roof of the barn, in the gaps of the branches - the white sky, brightening after a thunderstorm. We feel lightness, enlightenment, and the joy of being while admiring Gerasimov’s wonderful work. And we learn to be attentive to nature, to love it, to notice its amazing beauty.
Mentors A.M. Gerasimov, wonderful Soviet artist, were the greatest Russian painters turn of the XIX century and 20th centuries - A E Arkhipov, N. A. Kasatkin, K. A. Korovin. From them he borrowed a broad sketch style of painting, a bold brushstroke, and a rich (although often rough) coloring. First of all, Gerasimov considered himself a portrait painter, although he often turned to landscape painting.
One of bright examples Gerasimov’s landscape painting is “After the Rain,” painted in 1914. In the picture we see very little: a table, a vase of flowers and a mug on it, and part of the gazebo in which the artist is located. And, despite such a simple composition, the picture attracts attention. How? She conveys mood mainly through color and light. Cold tones and watery reflections on wood - this only happens after rain. The artist saw this and presented it to the viewer. A carelessly overturned glass also indicates that it has rained. Most likely, someone was in the gazebo, but due to the surprise of the weather, they hastened to take refuge in the house. It's amazing how one small detail allows the viewer to speculate and come up with their own story. Thus, Gerasimov’s canvas is even more interesting.
The color scheme of the picture, as was said, corresponds to the general mood. When painting trees, not only cold green colors are used, but even blue and black colors. The texture of the varnish table is also well shown, on the wet surface of which there is a whole riot of colors.
From such little things and details, the artist creates a picture, and the viewer, in turn, has a mood and impression. We can safely say that Gerasimov is a master of his craft.
Second version of the essay:
Plan
1. Genre of the painting
2. Description of the painting:
a) wet terrace;
b) garden after rain;
c) color scheme of the painting
3. The mood that the picture creates
A. Gerasimov’s painting “After the Rain” can be considered both as a still life (image of a vase with flowers on the table), and as a landscape (description of a garden), and as genre scene without people. The artist was so inspired by the view from the terrace after the rain that the painting was painted in three hours.
The artist managed to capture the atmosphere after the rain. Looking at the picture, we smell wet leaves and humidity in the air. It's amazing how Gerasimov was able to paint wet surfaces. There are raindrops on everything we see. Apparently the summer rain ended recently, because the water did not have time to dry out. But rays are already breaking through the foliage bright sun. Its highlights are well defined using light colors.
When the painter was working on his canvas, he stood in the depths of the terrace. Therefore, in the foreground there is a view of the terrace after the rain. On the side there is a table on which stands a vase of flowers and an overturned glass. He probably capsized from strong impulse winds before a thunderstorm. The bench and floor glisten with moisture in the bright sunlight.
In the background, an old garden is depicted, which is saturated with moisture and freshness. For him, the artist chose greenish, emerald, light green, calm, dim colors. The moisture effect is created by silvery tones.
Our gaze is directed into the distance of the garden, thanks to the artist’s skillful combination of dark colors in the foreground, bright colors in the middle and very light colors in the background.
Gerasimov managed not only to convey the beauty of the moment, but also to create an upbeat mood. Everyone who looks at the picture admires the purity and freshness of nature and feels cool. It seems that if you touch something, it will leave a wet mark on your hand.
Gerasimov wrote for his creative life There are many paintings, but the painting “After the Rain” was one of my favorites.
Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov
After the rain (Wet terrace)
Oil on canvas. 78 x 85
State Tretyakov Gallery,
Moscow.
By 1935, having painted many portraits of V.I. Lenin, I.V. Stalin and other Soviet leaders, A.M. Gerasimov became one of the greatest masters of socialist realism. Tired of the struggle for official recognition and success, he went to rest in his home and beloved city of Kozlov. This is where the “Wet Terrace” was created.
The artist’s sister recalled how the painting was painted. Her brother was literally shocked by the appearance of their garden after one unusually heavy rain. “There was a fragrance of freshness in nature. The water lay in a whole layer on the foliage, on the floor of the gazebo, on the bench and sparkled, creating an extraordinary picturesque chord. And further, behind the trees, the sky cleared and turned white.
Mitya, hurry up and get the palette! - Alexander shouted to his assistant Dmitry Rodionovich Panin. The painting, which my brother called “Wet Terrace,” appeared with lightning speed - it was painted within three hours. Our modest garden gazebo with a corner of the garden received poetic expression under my brother’s brush.”
At the same time, the picture that arose spontaneously was not painted by chance. The picturesque motif of nature refreshed by rain attracted the artist even during his years of study at the School of Painting. He was good at wet objects, roofs, roads, grass. Alexander Gerasimov, perhaps without realizing it himself, had been working towards this painting for many years and latently wanted to see with his own eyes what we now see on the canvas. Otherwise, he could simply not pay attention to the rain-drenched terrace.
There is no strain in the film, no rewritten parts or invented plot. It was truly written in one breath, as fresh as the breath of green leaves washed by rain. The image captivates with its spontaneity; the artist’s lightness of feelings is visible in it.
The artistic effect of the painting was largely determined by the high painting technique based on reflexes. “Lush reflections of garden greenery fell on the terrace, pinkish and blue reflections fell on the wet surface of the table. The shadows are colorful, even multicolored. The reflections on the moisture-covered boards are cast in silver. The artist used glazes, applying new layers of paint on top of the dried layer - translucent and transparent, like varnish. On the contrary, some details, such as garden flowers, are painted impasto, emphasized by textured strokes. A major, elevated note is brought into the picture by backlighting, the technique of lighting from behind, point-blank, the treetops are somewhat reminiscent of flickering stained glass windows” (Kuptsov I. A. Gerasimov. After the rain // Young Artist. 1988. No. 3. P. 17. ).
In Russian painting of the Soviet period there are few works where the state of nature would be so expressively conveyed. I believe that this is the best painting by A. M. Gerasimov. The artist lived a long life, painted many canvases on different subjects, for which he received many awards and prizes, but at the end of his journey, looking back on his journey, he considered this work to be the most significant.