The work of Konstantin Korovin is a kaleidoscope of vivid landscapes, portraits, still lifes, small sketches and monumental panels, sketches of costumes and scenery. The artist, who began his journey with the traditional school of realistic painting, soon not only became an excellent master who found his individual handwriting, but was able to embody with his talents the idea of the era of the synthesis of art. An active participant in the exhibition associations "World of Art" and the "Union of Russian Artists", a teacher, Korovin brilliantly showed his design talent in the design of pavilions and departments at the famous Nizhny Novgorod Exhibition of 1896 and the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, headed the theatrical and decorative workshops of the Imperial Theaters of Moscow.

The still life "Carnations and Violets" was executed by Korovin in Paris, as evidenced by the author's inscription on canvas. In November 1912, the artist spent in the French capital together with the family of the director of the Office of the Imperial Theaters, Vladimir Telyakovsky, in order to inspect the repertoire of advanced and fashionable stages of the city. Paris is a separate chapter in the life and work of the master. In addition to images with sparkling boulevard lights, the artist for a number of years created a whole series of still lifes painted against the background of windows with elegant wrought-iron lattices, through the patterns of which images of the evening city with lit street lamps and warm light pouring from the windows of neighboring houses emerge.

A luxurious bouquet made up of bright red carnations and purple violets is emphasized by the artist with the simplicity of a snow-white earthenware vase. A silver creamer standing on a sparkling tray, where exotic fruits - oranges - appear with two colorful chords of red, are masterfully performed. The play of glare on the surfaces of silver, grapes and urban cold street lighting is curious. From the mosaic of sweeping multi-colored strokes, an exquisite "spectacle" is formed. The still life sounds like a real picturesque "ode", glorifying the love of life and beauty, of which Korovin himself was an indispensable admirer

Provenance:

1957 Received from the House of Officers in the city of Rovno.