Modern art
Mexican painting of the first half of the 20th century
In the 20th century, the art of Latin America, primarily Mexico, unexpectedly became one of the most significant phenomena of world culture. The dramatic history of this country is replete with brutal conquests, murders, merciless oppression of the masses – from the invasion of the warlike Aztec people, who later created a formidable state in Central Mexico, in the XII century.
In the first half of the 16th century, Mexico was conquered by the Spanish conquerors conquerors, they destroyed the ancient civilization that developed here, spread Christianity with fire and sword, and turned the Indians into slaves. Continue reading
“Portrait of Peter I” by Mikhail Lomonosov
In one of the Hermitage halls, mosaic works created by the great Russian scientist and his students are exhibited. Among these works, the portrait of Peter I stands out – a convincing confirmation of Lomonosov’s outstanding artistic talent. He began working as a mosaic technologist after his acquaintance in 1746-1750 with the mosaic works brought from Italy called “The Weeping Apostle Peter” and “The Portrait of the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna”. They were recruited in Rome in the Vatican mosaic workshop. Continue reading
“The Adoration of the Magi” by Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo Da Vinci
In March 1481, the monks of the Florentine monastery of San Donato a Scopetto turned to the notary Pietro of Vinci with a request to find an artist who could write an altar picture for the cathedral. Pietro immediately offered the services of his son Leonardo, who recently graduated from Verrocchio. At the same time the contract was concluded, where the working conditions were determined. The artist was given the task of painting a 2.5×2.5 m size in oil on a blackboard in two – two and a half years. Continue reading
