Cleopatra must be naked, and the poses exquisite. Beautiful academicism of Johan Kronberg.

Johan Julius Ferdinand Kronberg (1850–1921) — a Swedish artist who painted in an academic style, characterised by a studied technique of execution, which looked very good in the expensive living rooms of wealthy bourgeois and aristocrats. However, some of his works, especially "Cleopatra" and paintings based on the works of Shakespeare, have already transcended the level of ordinary salon painting and are quite close to the work of the Pre-Raphaelites, if not in realism and meticulousness of execution, then at least in decorativeness and originality of subject.

Romeo and Juliet on the balcony

Kronberg was born in Karlskrona, Sweden, and began studying at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts at the age of 13. At that time, painting was taught in great detail, so Kronberg's first significant work, for which he was awarded a gold medal, was painted at the age of 20. It was a portrait of Gustav Vasa, King of Sweden, and it was so successful that it became the subject of a postage stamp in 1941.

King Gustav Vasa of Sweden receives a translation of the Bible into Swedish

Kronberg's development as an artist was greatly influenced by Johan Boklund, who specialized in historical paintings. Later, Kronberg himself repeatedly addressed the theme of history, depicting in his works a peculiar mix of historically accurate details and typically academic painting techniques, such as the frankly mannered and staged poses of the characters and their peculiar manner of dressing, where the less clothing on beautiful girls, the better. However, such a technique was one of the ways to sell a painting for a higher price, since there was always a good demand for nudes.

Sappho

At the end of his studies he was awarded a scholarship which enabled him to travel around Europe at public expense to see museums and the works of the old masters. Kronberg travelled with relish, visiting Paris, Copenhagen and, after a short stay in Venice, settled permanently in Munich, where he was greatly impressed by the work of Hans Makart, who, in addition to painting, designed furniture, interiors, worked as a decorator and theatrical costume designer. Kronberg realised that an artist could make a living not only by painting, and that there was nothing shameful about working as a decorator, which was always in demand among the rich.

Nymph and Fauns

But painting was still a priority for Kronberg, and in 1876 he painted Nymphs and Fauns, which was praised by the prominent Swedish writer and artist August Strindberg, and at the same time gave him the opportunity to become a candidate for the Royal Academy of Arts. Then came a trip to Italy and a slight change in style: Kronberg's paintings became lighter and more reminiscent of the work of Giovanni Tiepolo.

Cleopatra

One of these paintings, "Cleopatra", painted by Kronberg in 1883, shows the voluntary departure to the other world of one of the most brilliant and extraordinary women of her generation. According to legend, in August 30 BC, Cleopatra decided to commit suicide in order to avoid the ignominy of being taken prisoner, as Alexandria, where she was, was under siege by Roman troops who were far superior in numbers and military training to the local militia. She ordered a jar of figs to be brought to her chambers, which contained a king cobra. Kronberg depicted the culmination of such tragic events: one of the maids has already died, the second is wailing with grief, sympathising with her mistress, who grabs the king cobra by the tail, hoping that it will use its deadly poisonous teeth.

Hypatia

According to all the principles of academicism, the poses of the characters are somewhat theatrical, as is the action itself. Cleopatra and the maids are half naked, which, combined with the magnificent and very exotic for the European viewer palace decoration, creates an extremely decorative and colorful picture, albeit far from reality. But who said that academicism should be realistic, it is enough that it is simply beautiful.

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