"Mercury and Argus" by P. I. Sokolov: aesthetics of the painting, search for an artistic image, perception by contemporaries

Purpose of this article is analysis of painting by P. I. Sokolov (1753-1791) «Mercury and Argus» (1776) in context preferences of era. Objectives of study: analyze preparatory drawings and picture; study archival sources, artist reports; reveal process of painting; represent aesthetic ideals of epoch and perception of personality. Our focus will be on artistic process of creation historical picture in second half of XVIII century on example of work by P. I. Sokolov «Mercury and Argus». Research subject is role of sketches from nature, sketch composition in work of P. I. Sokolov on picture «Mercury and Argus». Author considers of visual technique, graphic-plastic composition, preparatory graphic, identifying process of working on picture based on academic education system. Citing quotes from letters, reports and writings of second half of XVIII century author analyses what was typical for art of period under study, what tasks artist set for himself, what conditions were necessary for expressiveness of visual image and idea of picture as well as her positive evaluation by her contemporaries. During study were applied: formal, formal-stylistic, art criticism analysis. Author comes to conclusion that work on historical painting in second half of XVIII century included a large systematic creative process dictated by academic education system at Imperial Academy of Arts. Analysis showed that execution of sketches and drawings from nature became basis for subsequent search for better image. Historical painting of second half of XVIII century reflected aesthetic views and ideals of era, being an artistic embodiment of ideas of theoretical treatises aimed at improving visual image. Novelty of research lies in considering painting not only as part of artistic heritage, but also as a reflection of academic education system at Imperial Academy of Arts in second half of XVIII century and aesthetics of educational classicism.