Last Supper. Natalya Tsarkova - official artist of the Vatican Artist Tsarkov s and his paintings

A graduate of Ilya Glazunov’s studio, 27-year-old Natalya, went to visit a friend in Rome.
Fascinated by the “eternal city,” she simply drew in her free time. From the heart and for the soul.

We saw the pictures. Appreciated. They offered to stay and continue working.
She has been living and working in the Italian capital for 20 years now.

Today Natalya Ivanovna Tsarkova is the official artist..... of the Vatican.
An Orthodox Muscovite who wrote a new version of the famous “Last Supper.”


For the first and last time, next to the world masterpiece of Leonardo Da Vinci, with the special permission of the Pope, it was allowed to exhibit a painting depicting the same scene.
The new, unexpected perspective and Tsarkova’s work itself as a whole amazed and impressed the Catholic world.


John Paul II asked a Russian artist to paint his portrait. In the end, two were written.
The Vatican has recognized them as official images of the Pontiff. Today Natalya Tsarkova is the only onein the world of painting, who painted portraits of three Roman dad.


She often comes to Russia. Sometimes with projects, sometimes just home, in my hometown. He dreams of painting his compatriots.
When we talked a couple of years ago, I shared my creative plans. Offer your modest services as a portrait painter to the domestic political elite and clergy. Create a gallery. Open a children's school.


So far it doesn't seem to have worked out. It hurts her. You can feel it in the conversation. But it’s hardly depressing. It's hard to be a fish in a jar. Especially after the freedom of inspiration that the “Eternal City” gave to many great Russians.....

#1-2 (19) February 2004

Creation

POPE OF RUSSIAN WORK

Once upon a time, Russian artists were specially sent to Italy to learn from local masters. We can say that it was a government program that led to brilliant results. Russian painting has taken its rightful place in world art. A unique national school of classical and realistic painting has emerged, within which significant masters are still emerging. And now our painters also come to Italy, but not for experience, but for success.
Natalya Tsarkova, a young Russian artist, a graduate of I. Glazunov’s studio and the Surikov School, has lived and worked in Rome since 1994. When she first came to Italy to visit a friend, no one knew her name. Several paintings that she took with her quickly attracted the attention of Italians and were immediately sold to private collections. Soon orders for portraits began to appear from aristocrats, politicians, artists and simply wealthy Italians. But real fame and rise in career occurred after painting two portraits of Pope John Paul II, which the Vatican recognized as official images of the Roman Pontiff.
Tsarkova’s monumental painting “The Last Supper” became another notable milestone in her work. The picture amazes with its unexpected perspective and artistic solution to one of the most famous religious subjects. The Russian artist’s painting was given a special honor: its first showing took place in the refectory of Santa Maria Della Grazie in Milan next to the famous masterpiece “The Last Supper” by Leonardo Da Vinci.
By amazing coincidence, Natalia Tsarkova’s studio is located in one of the most “Russian” quarters of Rome, near Piazza Barberini. A stone's throw away is the house where Gogol lived and wrote Dead Souls. Opposite, across the road, near the “four fountains,” was the apartment of Karl Bryullov, who wrote “The Last Day of Pompeii” in Rome. Alexander Ivanov and Orest Kiprensky lived not far from Barberini.
The central place in the studio, completely hung with paintings, is given to “The Last Supper” - Natalya does not want to part with this work yet, despite numerous offers from private collectors and museums.

The Vatican Museums have already had their eye on “The Supper.” But until I part with her, I can’t even imagine it. I consider its unique mission important: art diplomacy. Its opening was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Soon the film should go to New York, and I really want to show it in Moscow, but for now the search for sponsors is underway. I was very impressed by a scene I once accidentally spied in a Roman church where my painting was “staying”: many Italians who went there were baptized before the “Last Supper.”
- What is the symbolism of this work, how did such unexpected decisions arise that created a special atmosphere of drama?
- In fact, I didn’t change anything in this well-known evangelical story, I just “went” from the other side. Jesus sits at the table opposite the apostles and looks half-turned directly at the viewer from behind. In the corner of the canvas, in the image of a maid, I depicted myself, looking through the slightly open door. This is also incompatible with the traditional canons of the “Supper,” but in this way I wanted to emphasize the connection with today. This is a view from the 3rd millennium.
The large white canvas lay in my studio for a whole year before the solution to the painting emerged. Ideas appeared spontaneously, like insights, during the work process. I redid many details several times. And in the role of the apostles, I decided to portray my Italian friends and acquaintances. For example, the person who posed for Christ for me is Count Pippi Morgia, a light designer by profession. It was he who recently created the lighting for the Roman Trevi Fountain and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, and fifteen years ago he organized Russian tours of Italian singers, in particular Toto Cutugno.
- How did your work in Italy begin? Apparently, it was not easy to gain fame in a country that from time immemorial was famous for its great painters?
- Of course, there are still a lot of interesting and talented artists in Italy, just as there are many true connoisseurs of art. “This style of writing here has long since died,” a professor from the local art academy once told me. A portrait is a piece of the person depicted in it, and the desire to preserve it for posterity is quite understandable. But there are very few who would like to see themselves depicted in the style of Van Gogh, for example. Unlike fashionable trends in painting, which Italians are apparently already tired of, the classical style allows you to penetrate deeper into the character and create a “living” image. People who want to have a portrait of themselves or someone close to them on their wall at home want to be recognized.
- How do art experts define your writing style?
- Realism. Although I also heard that this style should have a name. This only proves once again that the traditions of the Italian classical school of painting have been lost. One of my friends, who studied at the art academy here, once told me about her impressions. Her desire to improve classical drawing techniques caused bewilderment among her teachers. They answered her: for us, your self-expression is more important and interesting, the rest, if you want, study it yourself later.
In our school it was the other way around: at first, they tried to lay the classical foundations of mastery for the beginning artist. By the way, we learned this from paintings, primarily from the great Italian artists of the Renaissance. Only after this did the artist set off on a “free flight”, and then the technique of writing allowed him to realize his plans much more fully. It’s like in music: without mastering musical notation, you can’t create anything, no matter how brilliant your ideas are.
In addition, in Russia, unlike Italy, they always began to teach painting from a very young age. For example, I picked up a brush when I was only five years old. Now, unfortunately, the Western model and the priority of self-expression over classical technology are becoming more and more established in our country.
- Your “calling card” is, first of all, portraits of the Pope. How did you work on an order from such a difficult client, and how did it happen that you, an artist from Russia, and an Orthodox Christian at that, were invited to become the official portrait painter of the Vatican?
- In the Vatican they learned about me from the “Maltese” - before that I painted portraits commissioned by the Order of Malta. It was difficult to refuse the offer to try to paint a portrait of the Pope. My Orthodox faith was not an obstacle for them, in any case, no one ever talked to me about it.
It was very interesting, although painstaking work. Instead of the usual two months, it lasted nine. First, the most suitable one was chosen from the sketches I presented, then there were numerous visits to papal private audiences. The fact is that the Pope’s status is prohibited from posing, and he had to take a lot of photographs and consult on the smallest details. One by one they brought me a staff, clothes, a ring... An interesting story came out with the Pope's ring. This thing is personal, each pontiff has his own, and with the change of Pope it is melted down each time. At my request, they brought me a ring to the studio. I examined it, redrew it for a long time, and then they called me and asked me to hurry up, saying that the Pope was waiting for it back, since it was needed for official ceremonies.
The director of the Vatican Museums saw the painting still unfinished and said: this will be the official portrait of the Pope. The award ceremony coincided with the celebration of the 80th birthday of John Paul II. This portrait was later printed on the official documents of the synod of the Roman Catholic Church and is now on permanent display in the museum of the Papal Lateran Palace.
By the way, the customers really liked my little secret, which you won’t immediately notice in the picture. On the Pope's shiny staff is a small reflection of the Madonna and Child. According to my idea, it symbolizes the patronage of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to have saved John Paul II during the assassination attempt.
- Do you often resort to such “tricks” in your paintings?
- It amuses me. My customers are also delighted, because their painting has a special secret that only they and I know about. Sometimes it’s my barely noticeable reflection in some piece of furniture, sometimes I’m visible in the background through an open window among passers-by on the street...
- After the portraits of the Pope, orders for portraits began to flow like a river, and they say that your work has already been scheduled for a year and a half to two years in advance.
- It's right. The other day, for example, Adriano Celentano’s wife, Claudia Mori, called and wanted to order a family portrait, but for now I was forced to refuse: there was a lot to do. Work is currently underway on the official portraits of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his family. Afterwards, I’ll probably work on a portrait of Italian President Ciampi; other orders are awaiting from Italy, America, Holland, Austria, Great Britain, and France.
- And yet, do you manage to write something for yourself, out of inspiration?
- When you work to order, you can’t do without inspiration, otherwise nothing will work out. Unfortunately, there is really no time left to work “for yourself”. It’s been two years now that I’ve been planning to paint a picture based on a well-known mythological subject - there’s no time. I’m afraid I won’t write it, because in this matter it is important to “seize the moment.” The muse is a capricious lady.

Dukes, lords and presidents line up for her portrait, and her paintings are exhibited alongside Caravaggio, Raphael and Velazquez.

“It was at an exhibition of portraits of popes in Washington in 2005,” shares Moscow artist Natalya Tsarkova. — Over 500 works by authors from different eras were presented there, including Raphael, Velazquez and others. Nevertheless, a group of experts included my two portraits of John Paul I and John Paul II in the list of the five best things in the exhibition.”

Today, the Russian artist is one of the most sought-after portrait painters among European aristocrats, and the waiting list for her is scheduled for one or two years in advance. Her paintings are kept in private collections and exhibited at exhibitions in America, Europe and Russia. She sees her purpose in work and therefore refuses all marriage proposals: “If Bol gave me talent, then I need to give it to people to the last drop,” she explains.

The Russian artist was born in Moscow in 1967. She graduated from the Krasnopresnenskaya art school, then from the Moscow Academic Art Lyceum at the Surikov Institute, a strong classical school of painting. At the same time, Natalya entered the Academy of Ilya Glazunov, People's Artist of the USSR, who revived the traditions of high realism. In Glazunov's course, she was the only and best girl in the portrait class. “For me, Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael and their masterpieces have always been an inspiring example.”

After training, Natalya Tsarkova went to Rome for two months, but still lives and works in the Italian capital. The departure had to be postponed. After the portrait of Prince Massimo Lancellotti, she received orders for portraits from reigning houses, statesmen, cardinals, and European nobility. Among them is Prince Ludovisi, who had five popes in his family, including Gregory XIII, who introduced the new Gregorian calendar. After the portrait of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Sir Andrew Burtis, Natalia Tsarkova was accepted as a Dame of the Military Order of Malta and noticed in the Vatican. “Rome did not let me go, and I think it was providence: I was destined to paint the pope,” says the artist herself.

Natalya Tsarkova painted official portraits of John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and is now working on a portrait of Pope Francis, becoming the only Russian official portraitist of popes. “Different religions have never stopped me from working,” says Natalya Tsarkova, “after all, we are united by faith in Christ.” According to the artist, this circumstance, on the contrary, serves as a connecting link between Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

Natalya speaks warmly about each dad. She prepared a special gift for Benedict XVI on his 85th birthday - a children's book "The Secret of the Little Pond" with a foreword by the Pope's personal secretary and illustrations in the style of medieval miniatures. According to the plot, one of the main characters in the book was the pontiff himself: in the morning he came to the pond in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo, prayed and fed the little red fish.

In 2002, the first showing of Natalia Tsarkova’s painting “The Last Supper” took place in Milan. It was exhibited in the refectory of the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Della Grazie, which became an exciting and symbolic moment: the back wall of the refectory is decorated with a fresco by Leonardo da Vinci, which also depicts the scene of Christ’s last supper.

Until now, “The Last Supper” was painted only by men, but this did not stop the Moscow artist. Moreover, she approached the composition of the painting differently, approaching it from the reverse side and depicting Christ in a half-turn, looking from the canvas directly at the people. Another unusual detail was the appearance of a female image - a curious female head peeks out from behind the curtain on the left - a self-portrait of Natalya. By the way, real people also posed for other characters: Christ - Count Pepi Morgia, St. Andrew the First-Called - lawyer Vittore Cordella, Philip - Count Dario del Bufalo, Thomas - Prince Nicolo Borghese, etc. The painting was personally blessed by Pope John Paul II, and Cardinal Giorgio Maria Meillet gave a speech where he traced the spiritual connection between the authors of various versions of the Last Supper, starting with Leonardo da Vinci and ending with the amazing Russian woman.

At the moment, Natalya Tsarkova continues to fulfill orders, and in the rare moments between them she works on the painting of St. George. She also dreams of painting a portrait of Patriarch Kirill and a painting based on a famous mythological subject, which she has not yet talked about.

Once upon a time, Russian artists were specially sent to Italy to study with relevant masters.
We can say that it was a government program that led to brilliant results. Russian painting has taken its rightful place in world art.

Natalya Tsarkova (1967), a young Russian artist, a graduate of I. Glazunov’s studio and the Surikov School, has lived and worked in Rome since 1994. When she first came to Italy to visit a friend, no one knew her name. Several paintings that she took with her quickly attracted the attention of Italians and were immediately sold to private collections. Soon orders for portraits began to appear from aristocrats, politicians, artists and simply wealthy Italians. But real fame and rise in career occurred after painting two portraits of Pope John Paul II,
which the Vatican has recognized as official images of the Roman Pontiff.

So the Russian artist, Muscovite Natalya Tsarkova became the only
in the world of painting, which managed to paint portraits of three Roman
Pope: John Paul I (acceded to the throne in 1978 and died later
33 days), John Paul II and Benedict XVI, became official
artist of the Vatican.
Tsarkova paints portraits of dads from photographs, because for dad
You're not supposed to pose.

By amazing coincidence, Natalia Tsarkova’s studio is located in
one of the most “Russian” quarters of Rome, near Piazza Barberini.
A stone's throw away is the house where Gogol lived and wrote Dead Souls.
Opposite, across the road, near the "four fountains", there was an apartment
Karl Bryullov, who wrote “The Last Day of Pompeii” in Rome.
Alexander Ivanov and Orest Kiprensky lived not far from Barberini.
Her work schedule includes meetings with dukes and lords. European
nobles line up to order a portrait from Natalya.

The central place in the studio, completely hung with paintings, is reserved
“The Last Supper” - Natalya doesn’t want to part with this work yet,
despite numerous offers from private collectors
and museums. Tsarkova's monumental painting "The Last Supper" became
another notable milestone in her work. The picture is amazing
unexpected angle and artistic solution of one of the most
famous religious stories. The painting by the Russian artist was
was given a special honor: its first show took place in the refectory of Santa
Maria Della Grazie in Milan next to the famous masterpiece
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Last Supper

Tsarkova’s painting was first shown before Easter in Rome, and it was
the message of peace was blessed by Pope John Paul II himself.
At a ceremony in Milan, together with the artist, the purple veil was torn from the canvas by the keeper of the archives and library of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Giorgio Maria Meia, who had specially arrived from the Vatican, who then, in a lengthy speech, spoke very flatteringly about the merits of the painting and even traced the spiritual connection between the authors of the versions of “The Secret” supper" -
from the great Leonardo to this miniature Russian woman...

“In fact, I didn’t change anything in this well-known evangelical story, I just “went in” from the reverse side. Jesus sits at the table opposite the apostles and looks half-turned directly at the viewer from the back. In the corner of the canvas in the image of a maid, I depicted myself looking through the ajar door. This is also incompatible with the traditional canons of the “Supper,” but in this way I wanted to emphasize the connection with today. This is a view from the 3rd millennium.
The large white canvas lay in my studio for a whole year,
before the solution to the picture arose. Ideas appeared spontaneously
like insights in the process of work. I redid many details several times. And in the role of the apostles, I decided to portray my Italian friends and acquaintances. For example, the person who posed for Christ for me is Count Pippi Morgia, a light designer by profession.
It was he who recently created the lighting for the Roman Trevi Fountain and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, and fifteen years ago he organized Russian tours of Italian singers, in particular Toto Cutugno.

Natalya Tsarkova presented Benedict XVI with a special gift for his 85th birthday - a children's book "The Secret of a Small Pond", in which the pontiff is one of the main characters.
"The Mystery of the Little Pond" is the story of a small red fish that swims during the summer in the pond of the gardens of Castel Gandolfo. The fish takes a liking to Benedict XVI, who comes to her daily while reciting the rosary and feeds her.
The book is decorated with illustrations in the style of medieval miniatures. The Vatican Publishing House plans to release the book in Spanish, English, German, Russian and Italian.

Her work was admired by John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and now
the artist began working on a portrait of the new Pope Francis.

Fame came to the Orthodox artist from Russia after she painted the official portrait of Pope John Paul II in 2000

Member of the Order

During breaks, peers rushed along the corridors or played hopscotch in the yard, and 10-year-old Natasha ran across the street and ended up in the Tretyakov Gallery. An art school student had the right of free access to the museum. When the time came to go to college, I chose the newly organized Ilya Glazunov Academy of Arts: “Ilya Sergeevich tried to take boys, he believed that a woman should not be involved in art, but with family.” However, he made an exception for Natasha, appreciating her work. Then she became one of his favorite students. It was thanks to Glazunov that she first came to Italy. And soon she returned there to organize an exhibition of her works in 1994. The paintings were successfully sold. She decided to stay for a few months, but ended up staying for 15 years. I thought about painting Italian beauties, but I became the official portrait painter of the Vatican.

However, the “portrait story” began with Prince Massimo Lancellotti. The aristocratic client was wooed by the gallery owner, who realized that the Russian artist had a brilliant future. The prince was pleased with the portrait, but the gallery owner decided to impose an enslaving agreement on Natalya, which the artist did not agree to. I sat without orders for a month, and suddenly I got a call: “Hello! Natalia? Finally I found you. I was recently at the residence of Prince Massimo, I saw your work...” Natalia was surprised that the caller also introduced himself with the surname Lancellotti. The stranger explained that there are many of them - Lancellotti, this is one of the most venerable and ancient families in Italy. So, without any intermediaries, Natalya painted a portrait of another aristocrat. Then she worked for two years with the family of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg - she painted portraits of his five children and the wife of the Duke himself. Later, representatives of the Order of Malta approached her. To be a member of this organization, you must document “blue blood” for seven generations. The Maltese were so inspired by the work of the Russian artist that they made her a member of the order. The same Maltese praised Tsarkova in the office of the Pope. And in 1998, Natalya received an official offer to capture Pope John Paul II on canvas. “The portrait matured in my head for a year, I carried it like a child. I attended audiences with the Pope, listened to his sermons, read his books. Then I spent four months in my studio. I got up at 5 am and only put my brushes away in the evening. The most exciting moment was when it was time to show the work to the Pope himself. He examined the painting carefully, and then said in Russian: “Long live Russian art!” Continue in the same spirit". He really liked the portrait.”

I was looking for the baby all over Europe

Before Natalya, Pope John Paul II was painted more than once. However, it was the portrait by Tsarkova that received official status. The painting hangs in the Vatican, and printed copies are distributed in the millions around the world. When John Paul II departed to God and the current pontiff, Benedict XVI, ascended the papal throne, the papal office had no doubt who to entrust his official portrait to.

- Isn’t the Vatican embarrassed that you are Orthodox?

No, we are Christians. I perceive myself as a goodwill ambassador of Orthodoxy on Catholic soil.

Recently, the Vatican hosted an exhibition of portraits of popes over the past five centuries. Paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio... and Natalia Tsarkova were presented. Natalya set a record in the world history of painting - she is the only artist who painted three popes at once - John Paul II, the current Benedict XVI and John Paul I (acceded to the throne in 1978 and died 33 days later. - Author). Natalya had to paint the portrait of the latter from photographs.

- Are you tired of working with aristocrats and popes?

And I don’t only work with them. When I painted “The Last Supper,” I walked along the street and looked for the right faces. Or, when I painted the Virgin and Child, I looked at so many children, I even went to other countries. Or here is a portrait of the head of the Swiss Guard. He wanted to pose in ancient armor that weighed 35 kg. Each time, two assistants spent an hour putting this equipment on him.

- What about your personal life?

I refuse marriage proposals. I think my purpose is in work. If God has given talent, we must give it to people to the last drop.