I discovered a hidden tragedy tied to Russia's most famous painting

5 days ago

Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, is a film rich in hidden details and stories, some not even apparent to the filmmakers.
A notable scene features Ivan Kramskoy's 'Portrait of an Unknown Woman,' a painting with deep cultural significance in Russia and the Soviet Union.
Kramskoy's painting was controversial in its time, criticized for depicting a woman with an air of arrogance and bourgeois luxury.
The painting was eventually acquired by the Tretyakov Gallery, despite its founder's initial reluctance, and became a popular reproduction in Soviet households.
The portrait appears in Trier's films 'Oslo, 31 August' and 'Sentimental Value,' linking different narratives and time periods.
The portrait in Trier's films is a copy painted by Hedvig Broch, a friend of the production designer, whose life story mirrors themes in the films.
Hedvig Broch, after years of unfulfilled artistic aspirations, returned to painting later in life but tragically took her own life, echoing the film's themes.
Trier was unaware of the portrait's personal history, emphasizing the unintentional but profound connections between art and life.

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