Boris Kustodiev, Portrait of Fyodor Chaliapin (1922) Painting Poster
Please note, we also sell a framed version of this poster here on RUS & SOV.
About the Painting
Portrait of Fyodor Chaliapin (Russian: Портрет Федора Ивановича Шаляпина) is a sumptuous 1922 painting by Boris Kustodiev (Russian: Борис Михайлович Кустодиев). Chaliapin was a larger than life bass singer, known all across Russia for his performances in the opera as well as his renditions of traditional Russian folk songs.
Chaliapin is presented against the background of a traditional Russian winter scene. According to contemporaries, Chaliapin loved to flaunt expensive outfits. The voluminous fur coat he wears in the portrait is no exception and comes with an interesting back story.
Kustodiev and Chaliapin were great admirers of one another, and so Chaliapin came to visit one day in 1921 to negotiate a portrait. He arrived in the lush beaver coat you see pictured and Kustodiev immediately remarked on it. Chaliapin explained that he had recently been paid for a concert with the coat instead of with a fee. Excitedly, Kustodiev exclaimed that this should be captured on canvas.
On a high, snowy hillock, as if on a kind of pedestal, the stately figure of Chaliapin in a sable hat and a rich fur coat rises. Behind him is the bright world of a folk holiday, replete with a cheerful discord of colors. A merry-go-round is spinning, there is a noisy crush on the roller coaster, sledges are dashingly flying to the ringing accordion. The human frivolity on display amid the festivities is echoed by the turquoise sky and frost, glowing pink in the sun
Chaliapin adored this portrait for its Russian spirit and scope, something inherent in his own musical work. He took the original with him and shortly thereafter left Russia and moved to Europe forever. The version you see here is a 1922 repetition Kustodiev made in 1922, which he himself kept until his death. This version is slightly more vibrant and gorgeous.
Original Painting
Poster Quality
Museum-quality posters made on thick and durable matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.
Please note, all poster sizes are in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Giclée printing quality
• Opacity: 94%
