IY. In what connections are the next names mentioned?
Rastrelli, Vallin de la Mothe., architect Leo Klenze, Leonardo da
Vinci, Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Velasquez, Murillo, Rembrandt, Van-
Dyck, Rubens, Michelangelo, Canova, Falconet, Houdon, Rodin, Monet,
Sisley, Pissaro, Cézannes, Gauguin, Picasso. Rembrandt, Poussin,
Fragonard.
What additional information on these masters do you know?
Prepare a short report about life and activity of one mentioned painter
or architect.
TEXT II.
Task V. Read additional information. Retell about the history
of the Hermitage.
The Hermitage was established by Catherine II as her personal
museum. She began to collect paintings in 1762 after she had been
crowned. The museum was intended to raise the prestige of the Russian
court. Catherine II purchased not only separate pictures but the whole
collections including some of the best in Europe. In a very short period of
time her gallery became famous. First it was placed in one separate room
(”Hermitage” means “place for resting”). As the collection grew several
buildings were constructed not far from the Winter Palace which were
called the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage and the Hermitage
Theatre.
9
After the death of Catherine II, by the middle of the 19th century the
Hermitage had become so important for the Russian culture that the
progressive circles asked the government to turn it into the public
museum.
Today the Hermitage is one of the largest and best museums in the
world with its more than 2.7 million works of art of various nations and
periods of history, from ancient times to the present day.
The Hermitage houses monuments of Oriental cultures, works of art
from India, China, Japan. 120 halls are devoted to West European arts.
There are works by great masters of the Renaissance period. The
Hermitage collection of French works of art is the largest outside France.
Of great artistic value are the architecture and interior design. It is
impossible to mention all the treasures of the Hermitage – paintings,
statues, drawings, coins, medals and works of applied art.
The Hermitage is constantly growing and purchasing new exhibits.
Now it has more than 400 halls. If somebody wants to look for a minute at
each exhibit it will take him 12 years to see everything.
VI. Prove that the State Hermitage in Saint-Petersburg ranks
among the world’s most outstanding art museums.
VII. Translate the text.
HOW TO APPRECIATE PAINTINGS
The beauty of the work of art has to be felt. One needs the ability to
penetrate and share the vision of the artists; lacking such ability, one may
develop it. Is it impossible then to learn how to look at and appreciate
10
paintings? Certainly not. No art critic, connoisseur or collector would dare
say he was born with a developed sensitivity.
The best way to gain better understanding and greater enjoyment of
art is to view many paintings, looking at them thoughtfully and earnestly.
Great works of art seem to look different every time on stands before
them.
VIII. Do you agree with said above? Prove your point of view using
the following models:
I am of the opinion that some people feel somewhat at a loss in an art
museum.
To my mind sometimes a simple painting by a little-known artist is
more moving than that of a famous master.
In my opinion no man would dare say he was born with a developed
taste.
You may also use the following words and phrases:
To appreciate the work of art, to be interested in art, to realize,
superficial, to feel ashamed of, to attract, to get better understanding of art,
to view paintings, portrayal, the rendering of the personality.
IX. Pay attention to the translation of these sentences from English
into Russian:
Model: It was he who met with a great success at the exhibition. –
Именно он имел большой успех на выставке.
11
|
