Karl Pavlovich Briullov

Karl Pavlovich Briullov, December 12 1799 –June 11, 1852, called by his friends the Great Karl, was an internationally renowned Russian painter. He is regarded as a key figure in transition from the Russian neoclassicism to romanticism.

Born of French parents in Saint Petersburg, Carlo Brulleau (as his name was spelled until 1822) felt drawn to Italy from his early years. Despite his education at the Imperial Academy of Arts (1809–1821), Briullov never fully embraced the classical style taught by his mentors and promoted by his brother, Alexander Briullov. After distinguishing himself as a promising and imaginative student and finishing his education, he left Russia for Rome where he worked until 1835 as a portraitist and genre painter, though his fame as an artist came when he began doing historical painting.

Karl Brulloff. The Last Day of Pompeii. 1830-1833. Oil on canvas. The Russian Museum, St-Petersburg, Russia. More.

• His best-known work, The Last Day of Pompei i (1830–1833), is a vast composition compared by Pushkin and Gogol to the best works of Rubens and Van Dyck. It created a sensation in Italy and established Briullov as one of the finest European painters of his day. After completing this work, he triumphantly returned to the Russian capital, where he made many friends among the aristocracy and intellectual elite

Italian Morning. 1823. Oil on canvas. Kunsthalle, Kiel, Germany

1827. Oil on canvas. The State Russian Museum, St. Italian Midday. Petersburg, Russia.

Portrait of Giovanina and Amacilia Pacini, the Foster Children of Countess Yu. P.Samoilova. 1832. Oil on canvas. The Tretyakov Gallery, Rider. Moscow, Russia.

• While teaching at the academy (1836– 1848) he developed a portrait style which combined a neoclassical simplicity with a romantic tendency that fused well, and his penchant for realism was satisfied with an intriguing level of psychological penetration. He was regarded as a key figure in transition from the Russian neoclassicism to romanticism.

Neoclassicism • Revival of a classical style but from a new perspective or with a new motivation; there were distinct movements in the visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture; the movements were in effect at various times between the 18th and the 20th centuries.

Romanticism • Romanticism was a secular and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. It followed the Enlightenment period and was in part inspired by a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the previous period, as well as a reaction against the rationalization of nature by the Enlightenment: Romanticism is an aspect of what has been called the Counter-

While he was working on the plafond of St Isaac's Cathedral, his health suddenly deteriorated. Following advice of his doctors, Briullov left Russia for Madeira in 1849 and spent the last three years of his life in Italy. He died in Rome and is buried at the Cemeterio degli Inglesi there.