The Kreutzer Sonata (painting)
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| The Kreutzer Sonata (painting) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | René-Xavier Prinet |
| Year | 1901 |
| Medium | Oil painting on canvas |
| Dimensions | 116.8 cm × 104.1 cm (46.0 in × 41.0 in) |
The Kreutzer Sonata is a 1901 oil painting on canvas by French painter René-Xavier Prinet, inspired by Leo Tolstoy's 1889 novella of the same title, which was named after Beethoven's violin and piano composition dedicated to Rudolph Kreutzer.
It depicts a female pianist, dressed in a golden gown, who is pulled up from her stool by a male violinist, who embraces her with one hand around her waist while they kiss. It was first exhibited at Paris, Salon in 1901, and then in Munich and Stuttgart.
The painting was later used to advertise the perfume Tabu by Dana, and may possibly have been the inspiration for a scene in Raj Kapoor's 1949 film Barsaat and subsequently his R. K. logo.
The Kreutzer Sonata is an oil painting on canvas by René-Xavier Prinet,[1] who was inspired by Leo Tolstoy's 1889 novella of the same name, the title of which is based on Beethoven's violin and piano composition dedicated to Rudolph Kreutzer, a music piece renowned for its diverse emotions; intense anger, deep meditation, and extreme happiness.[2][3] The story portrays the murder of a wife by her husband, Pozdnyshev, who suspects her of being unfaithful with the violinist, Trukachevsky, after returning home and seeing them sitting at the dinner table.[3][4] The book was published in 1889, but was banned in Russia for a short while before it was released.[3]
Composition
The painting measures 116.8 by 104.1 cm.[1] It depicts a female pianist dressed in a golden gown, who is pulled up from her stool by a formally dressed male violinist, who holds her with his right hand around her waist.[3] His violin is held up in his left outstretched hand, while her fingers still just about touch the piano keys.[3] She is semi-upright in his embrace as they kiss.[3] They are the focus of the painting, with the surroundings blurred or empty.[1] A candle provides some illumination.[1]
Exhibition
It was first exhibited at Paris, Salon in 1901, where it was purchased by Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria.[1] It was also exhibited at Munich and Stuttgart.[1] In 1994, it was sold at Sotheby's, New York.[1]