Simon Ushakov is a Russian icon painter and graphic artist. In addition to icons, he painted frescoes and miniatures. The artist also produced woodcuts. He was the first Russian painter to make his works his own.
Gifted with a multifaceted talent and recognized at court, Pimen Fedorovich Ushakov went down in history under the name of Simon. Two names for his time were the norm: the first was intended for life, and the second, secret, was given at baptism and was kept secret from outsiders. The exact date and year of birth of the artist are unknown, there is no information about his personal life. However, quite a lot is known about the painter.
The beginning of the way
His biography began in 1626 in Moscow. A prominent representative of the final period of the art of Moscow Rus did a lot for the development of painting.
From the moment the Kremlin was erected, a new period began in Russian culture. The depiction of objects was approached in innovative ways. For Russian architecture and painting of that time, the approaches of various schools, including Italian, are characteristic. Thanks to new trends, all types of creativity have acquired great decorativeness, brightness of colors and plasticity of images.
Ushakov became the main representative of the transition to a new period. Simon was taught the art of painting from an early age. Neither after him, nor before him, no one at the age of 22 was accepted for the prestigious position of the flag bearer. There are versions about the township origin of the artist's family. However, the signatures on his works indicate that the author is a Moscow nobleman. This title was received later as a special distinction.
According to one of the researchers of Simon's work, the master could be hereditary as a nobleman, therefore he managed to master the craft, and after receiving his education, take a state post with a salary. My job was to create sketches for church utensils made of precious metals and enamel. In addition to painting banners, Ushakov was also charged with developing designs and motifs for embroidery.
Vocation
Despite the high workload, Simon managed to paint images, becoming a famous icon painter. He painted the walls of temples, made beautiful notches on guns, skillfully made maps.
Simon's amazing diligence and skill did not escape the attention of his superiors. In 1644 the guy was transferred to the Armory. There he took up the position of the honored iconographer. As his talent improved, Ushakov became the head of the Moscow icon painters.
The first work of the master in 1652 was the famous image of the Vladimir Mother of God. Five years later, the first Savior not made by hands appeared by the painter.
Violation of the usual canons of writing brought fame to the image. The work shows the realism of features, volume and thoroughness of writing. Despite the presence of eyelashes, glitter in the eyes, imitation of tears, that is, innovation, the church accepted the icon.
In total, several images have been written, but the first one is recognized as software. In search of maximum proximity to the ubrus with the face of Christ left on it, Ushakov constantly improved his work. He changed features, removed or added inscriptions. Both the master himself and his students were the first to equal the Western painters. Human features were introduced into the depicted faces. This technique was not used in the old icon painting.
Innovation
Old Believers harshly criticized representatives of the Ushakov school. The Savior Not Made by Hands, written for the Trinity Cathedral, is strikingly different from the faces of the Old Believers. Rigid canons dictated a style of writing that was far from reality. They were noticeably different from the colorful and light works of Simon.
For the first time in the work of one painter, ancient Russian and new art converged. For the first time, the master used "fryazhskoe", Western art, perspective, plot.
Ushakov described his ideas about contemporary painting craft in the book "A Word to the Curious of Icon Writing", published in 1666. In his work, the author expressed himself more progressively than realized in painting. In principle, mirrors were about striving for image accuracy. In the proposed innovative writing technique, the smallest barely discernible strokes were used to conceal the color transition. The "melts" were multi-layered.
With their help, a skin tone close to real was formed, the chin was rounded, the lips plump was emphasized, and the eyes were carefully drawn. For his introduction, Ushakov received the nickname of the Russian Raphael. The first portrait made by the master, a parsuna, demonstrated the new in art.
Portraits
The painter created many portraits of the Moscow nobility. Even the most famous icon "The Tree of the Moscow State", also known as "Praise of Our Lady of Vladimir" or "Our Lady of Vladimir", can be attributed to portrait work. The unusual work reproduces the Cathedral of the Assumption with photographic accuracy.
The work itself represents an entire era in history. The tree of the state is planted by Ivan Kalita and Metropolitan Peter of Moscow. On the branches there are medallions-portraits of kings and saints. There are also patriarchs and metropolitans as pillars of Orthodoxy. Unfortunately, none of the portraits of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered to the master have survived.
In this regard, interest in the Parsuna icon is growing. The author gave it the maximum resemblance to the original. He portrayed the royal family against the background of the Kremlin. Angels convey the attributes of power to the ruler. In the center - the Face of the Vladimir Mother of God with the baby Jesus in her arms. Like other works, this one is signed.
Ushakov created frescoes on the walls of the Kremlin chambers, painted the Arkhangelsk and Uspensky obory. Coins were minted according to the artist's sketches. Known for his creations is the Cross of Calvary, Our Lady of Kazan, the Annunciation, Christ Emmanuel. The Trinity deserves special mention. Its master created in 1671.
Compositionally, the work resembles Rublev's. The canvas is replete with carefully inscribed household items. Ushakov was always interested in them. The artist was also engaged in restoration. Experts call his "Trinity" a transitional step to pure fine art. Thanks to the habit of painting the background, Simon is also considered a talented graphic artist.
Many talents include a teaching gift. Ushakov created the "Alphabet of Arts", a manual for students. After the master, a great art school remained. He passed away on June 25, 1686.
