17. Work in pairs. Discuss these questions: These words and phrases are sure to help you to express your idea.

Manuscripts that were written centuries ago; collections of portraits painted by world known artists; Belarusian decorations of the time of –; mosaic works; objects in ivory bone; objects in glass and pottery; national embroidery of the Belarusian peasantry; clay pots decorated with ornaments; stone images of ancient gods; fur, felt and cloth garments, headwear and footwear of the 16 century.

- What are the important museums or galleries in your city (or a city you know well)?

- What makes them attractive to tourists? Which would you recommend, and why?

18. Match the following genres of painting with their definitions:

1 a landscape	a) a painting of such unanimated subjects as fruit, flowers and other decorative things;
2 a portrait	b) a picture on a wall or ceiling where a plaster is still wet or damp;
3 a still life	c) a picture or representation of the person, especially of a face generally drawn from life;
4 a fresco	d) a painting of the sea
5 a seascape	e) a picture representing a tract of country with the various objects it contains.

19. Examine the picture by Rembrandt “Baertje Martens”(c, see on page118) and arrange the sentences to restore its description according to the plan given below

1. The general effect. (The title and the name of the artist. The period or trend represented. Does it appear natural and spontaneous or contrived and artificial?)

2. The contents of the picture. (Place, time and setting. The accessories, the dress and environment. Any attempt to render the emotions of the model. What does the artist accentuate in his subject?)

3. The composition and colouring. (How is the sitter represented? Against what background? Any prevailing format? Is the picture bold or rigid? Do the hands (head, body) look natural and informal? How do the eyes gaze? Does the painter concentrate on the analysis of details? What tints predominate in the colour scheme? Do the colours blend imperceptible? Are the brushstrokes left visible?)

4. Interpretation and evaluation. (Does it exemplify a high degree of artistic skill? What feelings or ideas does it evoke in the viewer?)

Remarkable in its painterly qualities, the portrait of Baertje Martens holds a special place in the Rembrandt collection at the Hermitage.

Baertje Martens (1596-1678), born in Naarden, not far from Amsterdam, married Herman Doomer (1595-1654) in 1618. They had seven children; one son, Lambert Doomer, studied in Rembrandt’s studio in the early 1640s and later was known as a talented artist.

Baertje Martens would be turning forty-four at the time the portrait was painted.

Subtle changes of light and shadow give it an amazing vitality and naturalness.

Rembrandt uses a characteristic manner in depicting her eyes: the lower and upper lids are shaded with a warm pink halftone, giving the gaze special moisture.

The woman’s gaze directed at the viewer and the shy smile touching the corners of her lips are astonishingly relaxed.

The model’s pose is stable and static, but the expression of her face is filled with inner mutability.

The shades of color of the skin on the face and hands are presented with rare conviction. (Rembrandt’s contemporaries praised him for this feature of his painting.)

She is depicted almost frontally, seated in an armchair with a high back.

The light falling from the left softly illuminates her face, the broad round collar, and her clasped hands.

The artist avoids linear elements, softening the contours with halftones.

20. Some word combinations have been left out of the following descriptions. Look at the pictures on page 118 and put each of the following word combinations in its correct position in the passages below.

An ornate pink, to be turned with, to be especially delicate, a low pedestal, quiet contemplation, a black lace collar, an air of immediacy, an allusion to, to wear, to admire one’s reflection,

Manet’s endeavor to capture the flavor of contemporary society extended to portraits of barmaids, street musicians, rag pickers, and other standard Parisian “types” that were favorite subjects of popular illustrated literature. Before the Mirror (b, see on page 118) is thought to be one such painting but more spontaneous in execution. The artist’s vigorous brushstrokes lend ______to the picture. The corseted woman represented here______ in a mirror; but this particular scene is extremely private—the woman, in ______ of her own image, ______ her back to the viewer.

Five portraits of the Infanta by Velazquez are known. The painting shown here is the earliest, usually dated 1653 or 1654. Infanta Margarita Teresa in a Pink Gown (a, see on page 118) is one of Velazquez’s most enchanting infant portraits. Margarita Teresa stands on a red and black patterned carpet draped over______. She ______ and silver brocade dress with _____, a golden necklace, bracelets and a golden chain across her chest. Her hairstyle is simple, as befits her age. The vase of glass on the table, accentuated by sparse, but highly descriptive brushstrokes, _____ and far ahead of its time in terms of its impressionistic treatment. It contains roses, irises, and marguerites – perhaps ______ the sitter’s name.

2

1

3

a

b

c

21. Have you ever seen the world-famous paintings given below? Will you describe them?

1. “The Last Day of Pompeii” (Bryullov)

2. “The Bogatyrs” (Vasnetsov)

3. “Tenth Wave” (Aivasovski)

4. “Demon” (Vrubel)

5. “Golden Autumn” (Levitan)

For ideas:

dark clouds, a flash of lightning, truly remarkable, to look very impressive, strength of the heroes, a sinister atmosphere, to portray, to be in panic, red flames, range of colours, radiate, to cover the sky, to illuminate the scene, emotional storm, to be reflected, despair, sharp psychological expressiveness, airiness and lightness, poetic in tone and atmosphere.