This is a continuation of my previous post, which featured a bio of the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (1882 - 1960).
Her art is featured in this second part.
The Grand Duchess Olga Romanov was largely a self-taught artist. She undoubtedly had art instruction from her tutors as a child in Imperial Russia, but this was merely an obligatory part of her education. Her life-long passion for painting was inherent and solely nurtured by her intense love of artistic expression. Painting provided a necessary catharsis which got her through the many difficult times in her turbulent life.
Olga created over two thousand paintings. Her preferred medium was watercolors. Her work is simply signed "Olga". She was strongly inspired by nature and loved painting flowers and landscapes. She mostly painted the simple things she knew best: her various homes, her children, her husband. She captured these personal moments with the eye of a camera.
The more I study Olga's art, the more I see inner layers of complexity that delightfully betray the initial simplicity. The subtle play of light and shadow, the refreshing breath of color, the unexpected details. The heartfelt love....
The Russian influence in her earlier works
Olga with some of her paintings
circa 1915
Olga's husband Nikolai with their first child in 1917
Olga's two sons, Tikhon and Guri
A striking portrait of Tikhon as a young man.
He was named after Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, who was venerated near Olga's Russian estate at Olgino.
Christmas
the portrait on the wall is Olga's father Tsar Alexander III
Easter
I'm not necessarily a fan of watercolors, but these are truly wonderful. Aside from her husband and sons, my favorites are the Christmas tree/nativity and that cottage complimented by sunflowers. Your thoughtful impressions of Olga's art, sounds like a professional critic! Thanks for sharing these, Jon!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely work. There's a feminine touch to all of it. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Easter because the colors are so bright, but I also love the simplicity of the cottage. The church in the third picture looks remarkably like the Ukranian Orthodox Church not too far from where I live.
ReplyDeleteShe seems to have mastered the art of watercolors! What beautiful paintings--all!! She really captures the light and shadows. Her use of color is striking, too. Really talented!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love her use of bright bold colors in the watercolor paints. I have dabbled in watercolors but mine look anemic compared to hers. Beautiful!
ReplyDeletesuch beautiful works of art. priceless. The two table scenes and cottage are lovely. but my absolute favorite is the christmas tree with her fathers portrait in the background.
ReplyDeleteIf I could buy one of her paintings, I would be more than happy. Not every artist can paint humans as well as nature. Thanks for sharing this, Jon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jon, for this continuatiin and especially for showing these examples of Olga’s talent. The paintings are beautiful and the first time viewing any for me. She was a very talented artist, which is a gross understatement.
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