The Last Day of Pompeii, a vast historical composition completed in 1833, established Karl Bryullov as a premier European painter of his era. This work garnered comparisons to the masters Rubens and Van Dyck, marking a transition in his career from early portraiture to complex scenes capturing the fate of human masses during moments of tragic conflict.
Academic Foundation and Early Departure
Born in Saint Petersburg in 1799 to woodcarver Pavel Ivanovich Briullo, the artist received his formal education at the Imperial Academy of Arts between 1809 and 1821. Although trained within the strictures of classical instruction, he demonstrated a clear resistance to these traditional boundaries. Upon graduation, he secured the Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts, providing him the means to leave Russia for Rome.
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Working as a painter, graphic artist, and architect while based in Italy, Bryullov cultivated a style that defined the late Russian Romantic period. His approach shifted from a joyful appreciation of life to an intricate exploration of psychological depth. By synthesizing neoclassical simplicity with dramatic, romantic lighting effects, he became a member of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno. His contribution to art history involves a focus on the shared tragedy of masses rather than the singular struggles typical of earlier classical works.
Return to the Russian Empire
Following the success of his time abroad, Bryullov returned to the Russian capital to accept a teaching position at the Imperial Academy of Arts, holding the post from 1836 to 1848. During this tenure, he gained significant influence among the intellectual elite and aristocracy. His service was recognized with several distinctions, including the Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd and 2nd class, the Order of Saint Anna, 3rd class, and the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class.
Final Years and Legacy
The final stage of his career involved work on the plafond of St Isaac's Cathedral, during which his health began to decline. Following medical advice, he moved to Madeira in 1849 before spending his final years back in Italy. He died in 1852 in the village of Manziana near Rome, where he was interred at the Protestant Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1799, Saint Petersburg
- Died: 1852, Manziana
- Education: Imperial Academy of Arts
- Movement: Romanticism
- Notable Work: The Last Day of Pompeii
- Awards: Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts (1821)
- Burial Site: Protestant Cemetery, Rome
Questions readers ask
What stylistic change marked Bryullov's transition as an artist?
He evolved from creating early works that embraced the joy of life to focusing on intricate psychological penetration in his later portraits.
What themes defined his historical painting?
His historical works moved away from the classical focus on individual heroes, centering instead on the fate of large human masses amidst tragic circumstances.
Achievements
- Order of Saint Anna, 3rd class
- Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd class
- Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class
- Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd class
- Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts — 1821
- Notable work: The Last Day of Pompeii
- Movement: Romanticism
