Fine art expert / Tkacheva Tatiana

Among the many advantages of Dmitry Sevrukov’s art one should first of all mark out his tendency to stay within the strictly defined terms of a specific genre, the one which is known as Dutch Still Life. Floral still life developed into a separate genre in the 17th century, during the golden age of Dutch still life art. For these paintings they traditionally choose the most beautiful, luxury utensils and household items, as well as the best showpieces of fruits and flowers, just because such paintings had quite certain purpose to serve as traditional decoration of the interior. So the main aim of this genre is to beautifully depict beauty. Stylistically the genre is characterized by meticulous detailing and thoroughness of painting, outward static nature of composition along with its inner dynamics, flickering liveliness of represented flowers and leaves, masterly technique, astonishing perfection with which certain parts are made, and superb knowledge of one’s craft. The richness of valeurs and the multilayered glaze create specific texture full of light and air, uniting the objective world of the painting in a whole with the help of tones and treatment of light and shade. In all paintings by Dmitry, Flowers and Fruits included, we are able to recognize every sigh of burger’s aesthetics of “luxurious still life”. The composition is absolutely traditional – a beautiful vase on a fancy, thoroughly painted tablecloth; the vase’s ornament has something in common with the rose buds. A lush bunch of ineffably tender roses. Fruits, berries and leaves are laid out lightly, with generous carelessness. The artist is capable to make fresh, juicy and fragrant fruits and flowers seem tangibly real, literally dragging the spectator into admiring contemplation of the tender beauty of his objects. There is no space, no perspective behind the bouquet – the plot itself is so beautiful, that composition does not require any additions or further development. The artist has apparent advantages, such as rare assiduousness and patience, love for the craft, and perfect skills in technically challenging methods of classic smooth paint. “Dutch” still life paintings by Dmitry Sevrukov stand out as unique, unexpected and utterly professional phenomenon against the general mosaic of contemporary Russian art.