Artwork
The Zemstvo Dines
The Zemstvo Dines is an oil painting by the Realist artist Grigoriy Myasoyedov. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
About this work
Overview
The Zemstvo Dines is a painting by Grigory Myasoyedov, completed in 1872. It is an oil on canvas work, currently housed in the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a group of peasants eating outside a building, while a footman is visible through a window, hinting at the contrast between their simple meal and the more refined dining experience of the nobility indoors.
Technique & Style
Myasoyedov employed earthy tones to convey a sense of rustic simplicity, and used chiaroscuro to add depth to the scene. The men's facial expressions suggest a mix of relaxation and conversation.
History & Provenance
The painting was first exhibited in 1872 at the 2nd Exhibition of the Society for the Travelling Art Exhibitions in St. Petersburg. It was later purchased by Pavel Tretyakov in 1873 and finished by the artist in 1876. The work was included in the Russian exposition at the 1878 World Exhibition in Paris.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Grigoriy Grigorievich Myasoyedov (Russian: Григо́рий Григо́рьевич Мясое́дов; 19 April 1834 – 31 December 1911) was a Russian realist painter associated with the Peredvizhniki movement.
