Witold Byalynitsky-Birulya. Meetings with artists. Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulya Vitold Byalynitsky Birulya eternal snow

Meetings with artists. Witold Byalynitsky-Birulya - famous painter impressionistic landscape

Description: This article tells the story of the life and work of the famous landscape painter Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulya, and offers questions and assignments to consolidate students’ knowledge.
Purpose: The material is addressed to parents, teachers, and students.
Target: Acquaintance with the world of art, with the work of the artist V. K. Byalynitsky-Biruli.
Tasks: broaden the horizons of students; promote the development of the ability to feel, understand and create beauty; develop artistic abilities.

Vitold Kaetanovich Byalynitsky-Birulya is an artist with unique talent subtle lyricist, bright creative individuality.
Witold Byalynitsky-Birulya was born in 1872 in the Krynki estate, near Belynych, in the Mogilev region, where his father rented land. The soft, discreet beauty of Belarusian nature with its forests, fields, rivers and lakes could not charm the soul of the future artist with the simplicity of its motifs and calm colors. surrounding nature. Apparently, these first childhood impressions of the beauty of his native land lived in his visual imagination and sank into his heart for the rest of his life. My first drawings future artist depicted on plain paper, then he made watercolor sketches that depicted his native landscapes. IN parental home The artist constantly heard music and poetry. With tenderness, Vitold Kaetanovich remembers his mother, who read Pushkin’s fairy tales and sang wonderful songs and romances, and peasant hunters taught him to love and understand nature.
To get an education, V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya moves to Kyiv, where he studies at the Vladimir Cadet Corps, but does not leave painting and at the same time studies at the drawing school of N. Murashko, a famous teacher and artist. Next - studying at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture with such outstanding artists as S. Korovin, V. Polenov.
In 1892, P. M. Tretyakov acquired a painting for his gallery young artist"From the outskirts of Pyatigorsk." From this time on, Witold Byalynitsky-Birulya began to constantly exhibit his works at exhibitions. His paintings often receive awards. Thus, in 1899, the painting “Spring is Coming” annual competition The Moscow Association of Art Lovers was awarded the first prize.
In 1908, V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya received the title of Academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts. The artist recreates a new direction in landscape painting.
V. Byalynitsky-Birulya was friends with I. I. Levitan, sometimes their works were exhibited at the same exhibition.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the artist traveled to European countries: Sweden, Holland, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, studying the experience of famous Western painters.
in 1901, at the Caucasian Anniversary Exhibition, the talented painter received a gold medal for the painting “Eternal Snows”, for the work “Hour of Silence” in 1911, a gold medal at the International Exhibition in Munich, for the painting “Winter Dream” - a bronze medal in Barcelona.

Winter dream. 1911

V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya creates the new kind landscape - memorial. In 1936-1937, for the 100th anniversary of the death of A. S. Pushkin, he painted a series of paintings dedicated to Pushkin’s places.
A unique cycle deserves attention seascapes- “Barents Sea”, “Pomerania”, etc.
For outstanding creative achievements and great artistic and social activity, V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya in 1937 was awarded the honorary title “Honored Artist of the RSFSR.”
In 1943 the artist received honorary title People's Artist of the Belarusian SSR.
In his canvases, the artist conveys the beauty of the picturesque nature of Belarus: “Minsk outskirts. White Dacha”, “Apple trees in bloom”, “Spring has blossomed again”, “Belarusian birch trees have turned green”.

In 1947, V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya received the honorary title of People's Artist of the RSFSR and was elected a full member of the USSR Academy of Arts. Rarely was it destined during his lifetime to be an academician of two academies - the Imperial and the USSR.
The famous painter lived to be 85 years old.
In 1970, in the artist’s homeland in Belynichi, a regional museum named after V. K. Byalynitsky-Biruli was opened, in which 26 works are exhibited famous landscape painter(“The ice has passed”, “The forest has turned green”, “ Last snow»).

The artist’s creative heritage is enormous: he created about 2,000 works, many of which are in various museums and collections. The National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus houses the most significant collection - 460 paintings and sketches, which we are proud of and never cease to admire.

After getting acquainted with the artist’s work, the children are offered reproductions of paintings on the themes “Spring”, “Winter”, “Summer”, “Autumn”.
You can suggest answering the questions: Why are the artist’s landscapes called lyrical? What colors and shades did the artist use in his works? Do you like the paintings? Why?
I offer questions for the quiz:
1. When was the master of landscape V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya born?
2. Where did the artist receive his education?
3. How was the childhood of the famous artist?
4. What awards and titles were awarded to Vitold Byalynitsky-Birula?
5. Name several works of the artist.
6. Where are the paintings of the famous painter stored?

Dear adults and children! Study the spiritual heritage of your people! Strive for beauty!

Byalynitsky-Birulya Vitold Kaetanovich (1872 - 1957)

Famous master of Russian lyrical landscape

“He was one of those modest, simple followers of Levitan, who just as strongly and devotedly loved Russian nature, although he did not reach the heights of his teacher. Years will pass, and his works will be valued in the same way as the works of small Dutchmen are now valued in Europe.” (Nashirvanov B.N.)

Belarusian painter, People's Artist of Belarus (1944) and the RSFSR (1947), full member of the USSR Academy of Arts (1947). Vitold Kaetanovich Byalynitsky-Birulya ( real name- Birulya) was born on January 31 (February 12), 1872 in the village of Krynki, Mogilev province. Belarusian. He took the pseudonym from his native Belynitsky (Byalynitsky) district of the Mogilev region. He received his art education at the Kyiv Drawing School under N. I. Murashko, then at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (1889-1897) under S. A. Korovin, V. D. Polenova, I. M. Pryanishnikova. Back in 1892, P. M. Tretyakov acquired his painting “From the Outskirts of Pyatigorsk” for his gallery, which happened extremely rarely with young authors. In 1904, Byalynitsky-Birulya became a member of the Association of Mobile art exhibitions.
In 1908 for the painting “Days early spring"receives the title of academician of painting. In 1909 he was awarded a gold medal at the International Art Exhibition in Munich for his painting “Hour of Silence.”

Byalynitsky-Birulya. An hour of silence. Lake Udomlya. 1911.

His most famous painting of this period, “Spring” (1912), reveals the close connection between the landscape painter’s work and the poetics of I. I. Levitan. About this painting I. E. Repin wrote to its author: “I am so used to refreshing my soul before your living trends of truth, simplicity and freedom.”

In his work, V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya continued and developed the traditions of Russian lyrical landscape of the 19th century. His harmonious landscape paintings, exquisite in color, represent the author’s lyrical thoughts about the eternity of nature. In the calm, balanced compositions of the master, a wide expanse of fields and forest expanses with a majestically outlined horizon opens up.
After 1917, Byalynitsky-Birulya, like V.N. Baksheev, K. F. Yuon, I. E. Grabar, became one of the main guardians of the traditions of Russian realistic landscape. Great place His work included images of memorable places associated with the life and work of Russian cultural figures: in 1928 he painted a series of landscapes Yasnaya Polyana- the estate of L. N. Tolstoy, in 1937 - views of the Pushkin Mountains, in 1942 - landscapes depicting the estate of P. I. Tchaikovsky in Klin. In 1944, Byalynitsky-Birulya created a series of paintings depicting monuments of ancient Russian architecture in the vicinity of Arkhangelsk. In the summer of 1947, the artist painted landscapes of Belarus, the nature of which he had been familiar with since childhood. They embodied the artist’s wisdom, acquired over many years of creative work.

Several of the artist’s works are in the Tretyakov Gallery:
From the outskirts of Pyatigorsk (1892)
Spring (1911)
The Ice Has Gone (1930)
Thoughtful days of autumn (1932-1942)
Nivoges (1936-37)
Belarus. Spring has bloomed again (1947

Stamp (Belarus, 1997) from the collection of Konstantin Konstantinov (“Bulletin of Zamoskvorechye”)

Museum of V.K. Byalynitsky-Biruli

The Vitold Kaetanovich Byalynitsky-Birulya Museum was opened on December 24, 1982. This is the first in the republic memorial museum, dedicated to the life and work of the artist.
The house in which the artist was born in the small village of Krynki near Belynich, Mogilev province in 1872, has not survived. Therefore, it was decided to open a Museum in Mogilev and locate it in a stone two-story mansion with an attic, a monument of civil architecture of the 17th century, at 37 Leninskaya Street.
By the time the branch of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus was opened, it had almost five hundred paintings People's Artist of the BSSR and RSFSR Byalynitsky-Birulya, collected with great diligence and love by the director of the State art gallery, Honored Artist of the BSSR Elena Vasilievna Aladova. This collection is the only one in its completeness and artistic significance a collection of works by a remarkable landscape painter. In addition, the artist’s widow Elena Alekseevna donated to the museum a significant part of the documentary materials, photographs and personal belongings that were previously located in the “Chaika”, the artist’s house-studio on the shore of Lake Udomlya: a sketchbook, palette, brushes; a hunting rifle is evidence of a special passion for hunting; furniture made in the Abramtsevo workshop; unique letters I.E. Repin, in one of which the great Russian painter wrote about his admiration for the works of the young landscape painter. All this made it possible to create a fairly integral memorial section of the Museum, which occupies the entire first floor of the building.
The photographs are of particular interest. They talk about Vitold Kaetanovich’s relatives, his family, show the artist in different years life - as a child, a student of the Kyiv Cadet Corps, at work at the easel, with his daughter Lyubochka, among friends, with famous Russian artists at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of traveling art exhibitions, with a group Belarusian artists in Minsk, with famous masters Soviet art in the halls of the Museum of the Academy of Arts in Leningrad.

Originals and copies of various documents tell about the years of study at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, about participation in creative competitions, exhibitions, receiving honorary titles and awards. The Museum contains a medal that was awarded to the painting “Winter Dream” at an exhibition in Barcelona, ​​orders of the USSR, as well as diplomas, congratulatory addresses signed by the greatest masters visual arts, publications, dedicated to creativity Byalynitsky-Biruli.
Among the exhibits memorial section there are works of artists - close friends of V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya: portrait of the artist’s mother A.R. Byalynitskaya-Birulya, written in 1894 by N.P. Ulyanov; portraits of V.K. Byalynitsky-Biruli, performed by A.V. Moravov (1908), M.M. Zaitsev (1922), F.A. Modorov (1950); landscapes depicting the Chaika house-workshop and the surroundings of Lake Udomlya.
The second floor of the museum is completely occupied by works by V.K. Byalynitsky-Biruli. More than a hundred canvases, finished paintings and small sketches, placed in bright spacious rooms, give a complete picture of the work of an outstanding painter, a wonderful master of lyrical landscape.
The roots of Byalynitsky-Birulya's art undoubtedly lie in the nature of his native Belarus, the discreet beauty of which, unpretentious motives, soft calm colors forever entered the artist's soul and determined the originality of his art, the entire emotional structure of his works. Byalynitsky-Birulya's brushes include masterfully painted landscapes of winter, summer, and golden autumn. But most of all he was worried about spring nature, its awakening from winter hibernation, the first greenery and its lush blossoming. Turning to a specific landscape plot, the master sought, first of all, to convey the state of nature, which depends on the season, time of day, sunlight, to convey the emotions that a person feels when communicating with nature
In 1912, Vitold Kaetanovich purchased a plot of land in the Tver province on the shore of Lake Udomlya and built a house with a workshop. He named his small estate “Chaika”. Much of the master’s creative and personal life is connected with The Seagull. It was here that many were created famous paintings painter, including his famous painting “Hour of Silence. Lake Udomlya" (1911).
A significant part of the exhibition is occupied by works created in secular times. In the 20s and 30s, fascinated by the new things that were happening around, Byalynitsky-Birulya traveled a lot around the country. He is interested in the first reconstruction experiments Agriculture in the state farm "Giant" and the commune "Seybit", the construction of "Azovstal", the transformation of the North. Three times - in 1933, 1935 and 1937. - he visited the Arctic. These trips are evidenced by the paintings presented in the exhibition. Despite the thematic basis of these works, the lyrical and poetic element prevails in them, coming from the artist’s talent and his worldview.
The exhibition includes paintings “Blue Spring” (1942), “Spring Silence” (1943), paintings depicting monuments of Russian wooden architecture- “Nine-domed wooden church”, “Village of Conception”, “Ratonavolok. Old Church”, “Mill on the Northern Dvina” (all - 1944). There is beauty in them native land and admiration for cultural heritage people. That's exactly how it was during the Great Years Patriotic War the artist-citizen expressed his devotion to the Motherland, boundless love To her.

Early spring evening

Boats, 1913

Early spring, 1953

At the beginning of spring

Spring waters. 1930. Oil

Blue Chapel. Before 1920. Oil

Thoughtful days of autumn. 1940

Cottage in the garden

Dormant Pond

Moskvoretskaya embankment 1913

"Silence" 1890s - early 1900s

At the end of winter

Almost forty-five years of Vitold Kaetanovich’s life was associated with the Tver land. Here, on the shores of Lake Udomlya, in the famous Chaika dacha, he created many famous paintings. Anna Vasilyevna Knipper, who visited the Chaika dacha, dedicated very beautiful and inspired lines to these places...

Harsh summer north
The unkind side...
Clover blooms in the fields
And flax blue eyes.
Boulders purple blocks
They blow up the body of the fields -
And the lake is full of fish
And waves of blue lead.
And the sky above him is not smiling
In a raincoat of torrential rains.
But I will always remember
Your joy and sadness
And you know what, Udomlya,
I'll come back to you again.

This poem, like the paintings of Byalynitsky-Birul, is a declaration of love for an amazingly beautiful protected corner of Russian nature, which has become a creative workshop for many artists of different generations.

Emerald of spring. 1915

Spring has bloomed again. 1947 State Tretyakov Gallery

Spring is coming. 1911 State Tretyakov Gallery

Prophetic waters. Canvas, oil. 59x73. State Russian Museum

Forest river in winter. 1920. State Russian Museum

Autumn wind. 1902

At the end of winter 1911

Blue Spring

VC. Byalynitsky-Birulya is one of the creators of the genre of memorial landscape. His works depict memorable places associated with life famous figures Russian history and culture L.N. Tolstoy, A.S. Pushkina, P.I. Tchaikovsky and others. In the museum, this side of the artist’s work is represented by paintings dedicated to Pushkin’s places - “Mikhailovskoe. Nanny's house A.S. Pushkin Arina Rodionovna", "Svyatogorsk Monastery. Grave of A.S. Pushkin", "Trigorskoe. Birch by the Sorot River" (all - 1936), " Autumn days. Trigorskoe. River Sorot" (1952). The poetry and lyricism of the paintings, the musicality of their pictorial solution are consonant with the spiritual poetry of Pushkin.

An important event of the year was the arrival of Vitold Kaetanovich to Belarus for the first time in many years. From May to mid-June, the artist lived and worked at the Belaya Dacha in the outskirts of Minsk. Here he painted several dozen sketches, which became the basis for a series of paintings dedicated to Belarus. It was here, in the vicinity of Minsk, that the motive for the painting “Belarus. Spring has bloomed again,” the emotional content of which is subordinated main idea author - life triumphs, it has defeated death and destruction. This painting is one of the central ones in the exhibition.
The Art and Memorial Museum gives a complete picture of the life and work of Vitold Kaetanovich Byalyniky-Birulya, an inspired artist, a great worker, a son of the Belarusian land.
Museum address: 212030 Mogilev, st. Leninskaya, 37
tel.: 0222 224887, 0222 220409

He wrote about his childhood: " I am a Belarusian... My father served as a tenant, then in the Dnieper Shipping Company. Going on flights along the Dnieper, Pripyat, Sozh, he often took me on his business trips. This was the greatest happiness and joy, because it was then, on those trips, that I discovered the incomparable nature of my native Belarus".

In 1885, he completed a course at the Vladimir Cadet Corps in Kyiv and at the same time began to seriously engage in art, entering the Kyiv drawing school of N.I. Murashko and then at the age of 17 to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He studied with Illarion Pryanishnikov, Sergei Korovin, Nikolai Nevrev, Vasily Polenov, who influenced his taste and style. But an even greater influence on his painting at this time was exerted by Byalynitsky-Birulya’s good friend Isaac Levitan. Ilya Repin wrote then about the young landscape painter: " This artist is a lucky man. He will find himself special".

In 1892, he bought Byalynitsky-Birulya’s student painting “From the Outskirts of Pyatigorsk” for his gallery famous collector Pavel Tretyakov, which extremely rarely happened with the works of young artists. Since 1897, Byalynitsky-Birulya begins to regularly participate in exhibitions and competitions. In 1904, he became a member of the Association of Itinerants (he writes about this event " ... the old people were stern and unforgivingly strict"), and at the age of 37 - an academician Imperial Academy arts in St. Petersburg. Just 3 years later, Byalynitsky-Birulya wrote one of his best works - "Winter dream", for which he received a bronze medal at the International Exhibition in Barcelona. And his painting “Hour of Silence” was awarded an honorary medal at the Munich international festival and bronze in Barcelona.

In search of his style, he strove for truthfulness and simplicity and constantly improved, achieving freshness and sincerity. The approach to the work of Byalynitsky-Birulya can be traced from his letters: " Days are irrevocable and in most cases will not be repeated. Yesterday I walked, admired the place and decided to write a sketch here; today I came to the same place (there was even a twig that I broke in order to clarify where to sit and write), but the “place” disappeared: yesterday there were pearly clouds, against which naked birch trees were drawn, and today the skies are smooth, and you yourself are somehow different, not yesterday. We, artists, must cherish every hour spent in nature, in sketching. The first impression of the place you are going to write is extremely important. This impression must be preserved and maintained throughout the entire work on the sketch.".

In 1917, Byalynitsky-Birulya bought a plot in the Tver region, in Levitan’s favorite places. Later his dacha “Chaika” appeared there. IN Soviet time Byalynitsky-Birulya continues the traditions of Russian lyrical landscape late XIX century. In the late 20s and 30s he traveled and painted a lot memorable places related to the life and work of famous figures of Russian culture. Then the landscapes of Yasnaya Polyana appeared - the estate of L.N. Tolstoy, Pushkin places, Mikhailovsky, the vicinity of the estate of P.I. Tchaikovsky in Klin.

House of Pushkin's nanny Arina Rodionovna

The artist died at the age of 85 from long illness at his dacha "Chaika", buried in Moscow at Novodevichy Cemetery.

His works are kept in the State Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum, the Mogilev Art and Memorial Museum of V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya, as well as in private collections. For example, it is known that during his visit to Mogilev Vladimir Spivakov visited the artist's museum and admitted that he had private collection three of his landscapes. The most large collection- 400 sketches and paintings, as well as many of the significant paintings, are in the National Art Museum in Minsk.

Byalynitsky-Birulya Vitold Kaetanovich (1872 - 1957)

This one was born wonderful person February 29, 1872 in the Krynki farm (near the village of Tekhtin) in the modern Belynichi district in the family of a small tenant. Due to the conflictual nature of their father, they often had to change their place of residence. But it was precisely thanks to this circumstance that young Witold was able to see the world and nature of Belarus and Russia. Much later, being captivated by childhood memories and impressions, he would tirelessly paint landscapes of his native land, displaying in them the inconspicuous beauty of picturesque Belarusian forests, copses, gardens and fields.

He recalled about those years: “I am a Belarusian. Born on the Krynki estate near Belynich in the Mogilev region. My childhood years passed there. My father served as a tenant, later in the Dnieper Shipping Company. Going on flights along the Dnieper, Pripyat, Sozh, he often took me with him on trips. This was the greatest happiness and joy for me, because it was then, on those trips, that I discovered the incomparable nature of my native Belarus.”

For some time the artist lived in Kyiv with his older brother Alexander and studied in the cadet corps. Here he made friends with local artists, who, appreciating the young man’s capabilities, introduced him to M. Murashka, the head of the then famous art school. Leaving the cadet corps, Witold goes to school, where he receives elementary lessons painting, and then studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Friendly relations with teachers, Itinerant artists N. Nevrev, S. Korovin, I. Pryanishnikov, and the assimilation of their rich professional experience had a major influence on the formation of his taste and artistic manner.

At the same time, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya meets I. Levitan. Frequent meetings, conversations, work in the studio of the great painter became a good school for the aspiring artist. Under the influence of the talent of his teachers, he begins to understand that his favorite genre is landscape; only then does it acquire artistry, touch the mind and soul of a person, when it conveys the truth of life through the color and shadows of paints. Later, researchers of the artist’s work noted that a person, his spirit, was always invisibly present in the painter’s landscapes.

Since 1897, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya began to show his paintings at exhibitions of the Moscow Association of Art Lovers and the Moscow Society of Artists, at International exhibitions and competitions, where his works are increasingly celebrated and become visible.

Since 1899, the artist's name has appeared in catalogs of traveling exhibitions. His landscape “Eternal Snows,” exhibited at the Caucasian Anniversary Exhibition in 1901, was awarded a gold medal. In 1904, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya was elected a member of the Society of Traveling Exhibitions (Peredvizhniki), and four years later he was awarded the title of Academician of Painting.

Big success came to the artist in 1911, when his painting “Hour of Silence” received an honorary medal in Munich and a bronze medal in Barcelona. This recognition became one of the master’s highest achievements.

Biography of the artist, creative path. Gallery of paintings.

Byalynitsky-Birulya Witold Kaetanovich

Byalynitsky -Birula Witold

(1872 - 1957)

“He was one of those modest, simple followers of Levitan, who just as strongly and devotedly loved Russian nature, although he did not reach the heights of his teacher. Years will pass, and his works will be valued in the same way as the works of small Dutchmen are now valued in Europe.” (Nashirvanov B.N.)

Studied at the Kyiv Drawing School with N.I.Murashko, then at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (1889-1897) S.A.Korovina, V.D. Polenova, I.M. Pryanishnikova.

Back in 1892 P.M. Tretyakov bought his painting "From the outskirts of Pyatigorsk" for your gallery. Member Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions since 1904

The artist received the title of academician of painting in 1908 for the painting "Days of Early Spring". In the work of Byalynitsky-Birulya a close connection with poetics is visible I.I. Levitan.

After 1917, Byalynitsky-Birulya became one of the main guardians of the traditions of Russian realistic landscape. He depicted memorable places associated with the life and work of famous figures of Russian culture: in 1928 he painted a series of landscapes of Yasnaya Polyana, an estate L.N. Tolstoy, in 1937 - views of the Pushkin Mountains, in 1942 - landscapes depicting the estate P.I. Tchaikovsky to Klin.

In 1944, Byalynitsky-Birulya created a series of paintings depicting monuments of ancient Russian architecture in the vicinity of Arkhangelsk. The author of many landscapes in which he glorified the nature of his native Belarus.

His harmonious landscape paintings, exquisite in color, represent the author’s lyrical thoughts about the eternity of nature. In his work, V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya continued and developed the traditions of Russian lyrical landscape of the 19th century.

This wonderful man was born on February 29, 1872 in the Krynki farm (near the village of Tekhtin) in the modern Belynichi district in the family of a small tenant. Due to the conflictual nature of their father, they often had to change their place of residence. But it was precisely thanks to this circumstance that young Witold was able to see the world and nature of Belarus and Russia. Much later, being captivated by childhood memories and impressions, he would tirelessly paint landscapes of his native land, displaying in them the inconspicuous beauty of picturesque Belarusian forests, copses, gardens and fields.

He recalled about those years: “I am a Belarusian. Born on the Krynki estate near Belynich in the Mogilev region. My childhood years passed there. My father served as a tenant, later in the Dnieper Shipping Company. Going on flights along the Dnieper, Pripyat, Sozh, he often took me with him on trips. This was the greatest happiness and joy for me, because it was then, on those trips, that I discovered the incomparable nature of my native Belarus.”

For some time the artist lived in Kyiv with his older brother Alexander and studied in the cadet corps. Here he made friends with local artists, who, appreciating the young man’s capabilities, introduced him to M. Murashka, the head of a well-known art school at that time. After leaving the cadet corps, Witold went to school, where he received initial painting lessons, and then studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Friendly relations with teachers, Itinerant artists N. Nevrev, S. Korovin, I. Pryanishnikov, the assimilation of their rich professional experience had a major influence on the formation of his taste and artistic manner.

At the same time, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya gets acquainted with I. Levitan. Frequent meetings, conversations, work in the studio of the great painter became a good school for the aspiring artist. Under the influence of the talent of his teachers, he begins to understand that his favorite genre is landscape, only then it acquires artistry, touches the mind and soul of a person, when it conveys the truth of life through the color and shadows of paints. Later, researchers of the artist’s work noted that a person, his spirit, was always invisibly present in the painter’s landscapes.

Since 1897, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya begins to show his paintings at exhibitions of the Moscow Association of Art Lovers and the Moscow Society of Artists, at International exhibitions and competitions, where his works are increasingly celebrated and become noticeable.

Since 1899, the artist's name has appeared in catalogs of traveling exhibitions. His landscape “Eternal Snows,” exhibited at the Caucasian Anniversary Exhibition in 1901, was awarded a gold medal. In 1904, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya was elected a member of the Society of Traveling Exhibitions (Peredvizhniki), and four years later he was awarded the title of Academician of Painting.

Great success came to the artist in 1911, when his painting “The Hour of Silence” received an honorary medal in Munich and a bronze medal in Barcelona. This recognition became one of the master’s highest achievements.

In subsequent years, his work was closely connected with “Chaika” - a dacha that he built in 1912 not far from the places where I. Levitan often worked (Tver region). Lake Udomlya and its surroundings served as an inexhaustible source of motives for further sketches.

In 1936, the artist visited Pushkin’s places - Mikhailovskoye and Trigorskoye - and brought back a whole series of paintings from there. Having visited Klin, the homeland of P. Tchaikovsky, he exhibits new landscapes - corners of nature that the classic of Russian music loved.

The theme of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) entered the work of V. Byalynitsky-Birulya as a large unhealed wound. He left paintings about this period "The Red Army in the forests of Karelia", "In the footsteps of fascist barbarians"(1942) and others.

In 1944 he, already famous master, receives the title of People's Artist of Belarus, and in 1947 becomes folk artist Russia and was elected a full member of the USSR Academy of Arts. In the spring of the same year, after a long separation from his native places, V. Byalynitsky-Birulya visits Belarus: “...I cannot forget its forests, rivers, lakes, infinitely dear and close to my heart, - said the artist. “When I go out to write, it’s hard for me to tear myself away from the greening winter shoots. I see destroyed German tanks on the outskirts of the roads. They remind me that just recently there were bloody battles here... The years have shackled me. Otherwise, I would have visited Polesie, or Krasnopolye, or near the town of Chausy in the Mogilev region. What picturesque places there..." .

While in his homeland, in 1947, the artist created about thirty paintings, studies and sketches: "Belarus. Spring has bloomed again", "Belarus. Apple trees in bloom", "Old Belarusian village", “Belarusian birches have turned green” and others.

It is no coincidence that V. Byalynitsky-Birulya is considered consummate master spring landscape. More than two hundred of his paintings are known, which depict the awakening of nature, its renewal. These paintings are lyrical and emotional in nature. By the muted palette of dim colors, subtle transitions and alternation of colors, the artist’s works are unmistakably recognizable. He was a subtle connoisseur of nature, understood its condition well, noticed shades and showed this marvelous green color in dynamics, constant change. V. Byalynitsky-Birulya painted earth, water and sky all his life, using only three or four colors. But this modest palette of the master was quite enough for those who loved the enchanting beauty of landscapes and their quiet, bright sadness. He recalled fondly his childhood in nature: “Since childhood, my life has been constantly connected with nature. In her and with her there has always been the meaning of life for me. I grew up in the village, in nature, among the people" .

Died great artist at his dacha "Chaika" on June 18, 1957 at the age of 85. He was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery. In Belynichi and Mogilev there are two art museums named after academician of painting Vitold Kaetanovich Byalynitsky-Birulya, where dozens of original paintings by the artist are exhibited. In the Belynichi district, plein airs are constantly held with the participation of artists from Moscow, Kostroma, Minsk, Mogilev, Belynichi, after which the funds are significantly replenished art museums. In the urban villages of Belynichi and Mogilev, streets are named after the famous painter, our fellow countryman. On the site of the former Krynki farm (Tehtin street), where the artist was born, a memorial sign was erected.

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When the name of Vitold Kaetanovich Byalynitsky-Birulya is called, captivating images arise in the mind native nature. Now the snow has begun to melt - and its white cover is broken by dark spots of exposed earth. The ice has passed - the leaden, cold waters of the river flow in a wide ribbon. The first greenery appeared so fragile and touching; and in the still spring air, thickets of bushes that have not yet turned green recede into the transparent distance, turning purple.

And nearby there appear images inspired autumn nature. The beauty of the autumn gold of park alleys and forest edges with flaming clusters of rowan trees and branches of crimson leaves is solemn. The bright green of distant winter crops is combined with heavy, black and blue stripes of vapor. Trees that have lost their leaves appear against the background of a low gray sky. The water, agitated by the sharp gusts of the north wind, became covered with restless ripples.

And then further - pictures of Russian winter with pink frosty mornings, with copses and groves covered with a fluffy snow cover. And all this is seen through the eyes of the artist, tenderly nature loving of his country and transmitting this love to those who come across the works he created.

Vitold Kaetanovich Byalynitsky-Birulya was born in Belarus in the town of Byalynichi in 1872. He received his first painting lessons in Kyiv, at the widely famous drawing school of N. I. Murashko. The professional skills acquired here helped Byalynitsky-Birulya, when he was 17 years old, to enter the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. A beginner at the school, the artist went through a large, serious school of realistic art. Among the teachers with whom he studied were both representatives of the older generation of Itinerants, as well as younger realist artists developing their traditions.

V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya himself recalls his years at the school: “In primary class was teaching at the time S. A. Korovin, in the head - N. V. Nevrev, in figured - P. M. Pryanishnikov. I studied with them all. But Pryanishnikov was my favorite. I studied with this wonderful teacher for two years. Pryanishnikov knew how to correct a school sketch with one or two strokes. “Stop drawing with charcoal, you need to use a brush” “, he said, and these words expressed his views on painting with extreme brightness... Pryanishnikov influenced me strong influence his ability to grasp a phenomenon in its vitality. And I am indebted to Korovin for understanding the etude as a definition of the basic relationships within the motif being developed.

Light and shadow, sky and earth, private and general—Sergei Korovin helped tie it all together. Looking back into the past, you understand that Nevrev’s authority was rooted in the fact that this artist was, undoubtedly, a real painter. Occasionally I had the opportunity to work in the studio of V. D. Polenov - I painted still lifes with him.”

At annual student exhibitions, open to wide viewing, Byalynitsky-Birul’s paintings attracted attention. His work was reproduced in the catalog of the 16th exhibition in 1893 "Country Road". In 1897 his painting "From the outskirts of Pyatigorsk" I bought it for my own back then famous gallery P. M. Tretyakov. This was the biggest event in the biography of the young artist, who had just embarked on the path independent work. The acquisition of the painting by the deepest connoisseur and connoisseur of Russian art marked the beginning public recognition creativity of Byalynitsky-Birul.

In that early work The artist exhibits that freshness of perception of nature that will always remain characteristic of him. Painted in the traditions cultivated at the Moscow School, this landscape also captivates with the sonority and harmonious harmony of its color. True, it does not yet have that deep lyricism, which then becomes an integral feature of the landscapes created by V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya.

Since 1897, the artist began to systematically show his paintings at exhibitions of the Moscow Society of Art Lovers and the Moscow Association of Artists. Finally, in 1899, the works of V.K. Byalynitsky-Birul appeared on Traveling exhibition. Further creative biography the painter is inextricably linked with the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions, which united artists representing the progressive democratic wing of the Russian artistic culture. For a number of years, V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya has been exhibiting as an exhibitor, and since 1905 he has been a member of the Partnership.

During the years of Byalynitsky-Birul’s studies with the greatest masters of realism of the 19th century, during the years of his first appearances at exhibitions, the main features of creative individuality artist - truthfulness, meaningfulness artistic images, deeply emotional, lyrical perception of nature, high culture pictorial skill. His landscapes are characterized by a pronounced national character: they are inextricably linked with that line of democratic realism in the Russian landscape school, which dates back to Savrasov. This is a “mood landscape”. But the “mood” here is not a stamp of subjectivity in the perception of nature. On the contrary, it is inextricably linked with a deeply realistic understanding of nature, the ever-renewing life with which it is full. As is known, this line of development of the Russian landscape found exceptionally vivid expression in creative activity Levitan. V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya always remembers Levitan with special warmth and a feeling of great gratitude as an artist who played a significant role in his creative self-determination.

The deep philosophical content of Levitan's paintings, the wealth of human feelings expressed in them, great importance motive, as the poetic basis of the figurative structure of the painting, are those features of the work of the great Russian landscape painter that had a particularly deep impact on Byalynitsky-Birul.

V. K. Byalynitsky-Bnrulya paints a number of paintings, for which he is awarded prizes at exhibitions. His works are purchased for museums. Shown at the 19th exhibition of the Moscow Society of Art Lovers, the painting “Towards Spring” brought V. K. Byalynitsky-Birulya the first prize for landscape at the Society’s competition in 1899. In 1901, the painting was awarded a gold medal "Eternal Snow", exhibited at the Caucasian anniversary exhibition.

Great success fell to V.K. Byalynitsky-Birul in 1911, when he received a gold medal at the Munich exhibition for the painting “Hour of Silence.” In the same year, at an exhibition in Barcelona, ​​he received a second Golden medal for the painting “Before Spring”. In 1904, the Museum of the Academy of Arts bought a painting by V. K. Byalynitsky-Birul "Spring day"(1902). Advice Tretyakov Gallery, which then included V. A. Serov And I. S. Ostroukhov, acquires a second work by the master for the gallery "At the End of Winter"(1907). Scenery "Silent Fields"(1911) was purchased for Russian Museum.

In 1908, V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya received the title of academician of painting. In 1912 the artist writes famous painting "Spring", later entered the meeting State Tretyakov Gallery. This is one of those works by the artist that fully shows the originality of his creative appearance, the measure of the skill he achieved. Extreme modesty and sincerity of feeling distinguish this landscape, depicting the outskirts of a village with small huts, deserted snowy expanses, and the calm surface of the river. The compositional, rhythmic construction of the landscape is extremely simple and harmonious. A certain moment in the life of nature is captured with remarkable fidelity: there is still a lot of snow, but the beginning of spring is already felt in everything. A harsh, monochrome, but tonally richly developed color scheme was extremely successfully found for depicting a cold, sunless day. Here, a lyrical perception of nature and its intense emotional experience are narrowly outlined, which, as they develop, will subsequently become the main features of Vyalynitsky-Birul’s works.

It was these kinds of pictures that I. E. Repin had in mind when he wrote to V. K. Byalynitsky~Birulya in a letter dated January 14, 1910: “I always look with new great pleasure at your slope with huts, covered with snow; I love these banks, their white edges reflected in the mountain river,” and in the same letter - “I am so used to refreshing my soul before your living trends of truth, simplicity and freedom.”

It is worth emphasizing that last words, indeed, define the essence of the perception of nature by V. N. Byalynitsky-Birulya, as a realist artist, as deeply and correctly as possible.

Genuine, deep feeling love for the nature of his country, the truthful embodiment of its beauty and diversity, spontaneity and sincerity of perception protected Byalynitsky-Birul from the influences of decadent, formalist art, which crippled many novice artists at the beginning of the twentieth century.