The genius of art, Brullov 
- Posted by Karl Pavlovich Brullov
- Museum: Russian Museum
- Year: 1817-1820
Overview of the painting :
The genius of art is Karl Pavlovich Brullov. 1817-1820. Chalk, pastel, coal on paper. 62×62
Exemplary student work. The author portrays the inspirer of art as a beautifully folded winged young man in a relaxed pose.
Impeccable, classic facial features make the hero as impeccably faceless, devoid of individuality, as befits the deity, the inhabitant of the world of immortals. The hero’s head is surrounded by radiance – a symbol of insight, without which any creativity is unthinkable.
The genius is surrounded by characteristic attributes: lyre, book, laurel wreaths, palette, capitel of a classic column, sculptor’s hammer, architectural design, circular.
Red drapery gives the composition some energy and warmth. The emotionality of the sculptural head of Laocoon is opposed to the emotional neutrality of genius. The author, thereby, contrasts the torments of creativity and the whims of genius…