Description of the picture:
Riders. Pair portrait of E. Mussar and E. Mussar. – Bryullov. 1849. Watercolor, Italian pencil, varnish, 69×50.9
In 1849, Bryullov again left for Europe – doctors recommended him a change of climate. Arriving in Rome, the painter creates a wonderful pair portrait, permeated with decorativeness and aristocracy.
The painting “Riders” depicts the artist’s friends, the couple Mussar. Emilia, seated on a delightful apple-gray stallion, is highlighted. Behind her, pulling the reins, Eugene Mussar stops his horse.
The composition of the picture is “tailored” very harmoniously and elegantly, and it is based on the roll-call of graceful smooth movements of horses with a flowing long skirt of a horsewoman. Despite the integrity of this double portrait, each of the heroes is distinguished by their individuality – a beautiful woman with a mysterious half-smile and a proud man with an even posture and a direct look.
The whole background was created in the form of a conditional landscape so as not to distract the viewer from the sight of graceful riders."