1888 was rich for Korovin artistic impressions – he, along with Savva Mamontov went on a trip to Europe. Especially liked the painter Spanish color, which can be seen even in a small format on the canvas “At the balcony.”
Two Spanish girls, leaning against each other, are examining something carefully, through the horizontal shutters of the balcony. One can only guess that the incident is unfolding in the street, deserving of such close attention Spaniard.
Stopping in one of the hotels in Valencia, Korovin asked the doorman to find him two models for writing a picture. The smart employee brought two girls to choose, however, the painter did not choose, but began to paint a pair portrait, combining the features of the genre scene. After the end of the pose, the master tried to pay casual models, but they flatly refused. Then Korovin took them with him to the market, where he bought girls like silk handkerchiefs and new shoes.
The author was very sensitive to the national essence of the country, its characteristic features. The type of face, certain gestures, black curly hair – there can be no doubt that we have typical spanish.
Art theorists who love comparisons come to the conclusion that, in the coloristic sense, the picture can be a kind of continuation of the famous canvas “Mahi on the balcony” of Goya’s brush. In the plot plan, Korovin did not avoid comparison with the “Balcon” Edward Manet. The innovation of the native impressionist manifested itself in the ability to grasp and depict an instant when the movement of heroines has not yet reached its culmination, completion. Excellent it can be seen on the example of the figure of Leonora, who, slightly swinging, leaned against her friend’s shoulder. And it was this semi-movement that could be fixed by Korovin.
Upon completion, the picture was exhibited at the Wanderers’ Exhibition, and earned a lot of positive reviews.
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