Anyone who visits the Russian State Museum of Art must see this magnificent painting which was awarded a gold medal in Paris and brought further fame to Brullov.

Karl Brullov was a brilliant painter from the very beginning of his life, and he won the gold medal at the St. Petersburg Academy of Art upon graduation. Ironically, he never totally embraced the classical style taught at the Academy. After graduation Brullov left for Italy where he became an outstanding portrait and genre painter. In spite of his obvious talent, it was only when he ventured into the realm of historical painting that his true genius was recognized.

After The Last Day of Pompeii achieved such world success, Karl returned to St. Petersburg, where he was given a high post at the academy of Art. He became a favorite of the aristocracy and the intellectual elite of Russia and created a vast portfolio of magnificent works. His popularity continues to this day in his native Russia, and Brullov exhibits are among the most popular of any Russian artist.

His portrait painting was a combined fusion of romantic tendency with a classical simplicity and a flair for realism. The end results were portraits of psychological penetration that were colorful and appealing to the art lovers of Russia.

My own favorite painting by Brullov is Countess Samoilova Leaving the Ball. She was a beautiful aristocrat personally involved with Brullov and whom Brullov painted often. Her face appears in The Last Day of Pompeii several times. I like the painting because Brullov's appreciation for her enables him to make her appear as an ideal companion for any man who appreciates beautiful women.

A transitional figure between Russian neo-classicism and romanticism, Karl Brullov was the first Russian artist to achieve world fame. In Russia that fame shines as brightly today as ever.