On May 11, 2015, Christie's in New York, wealthy people from all over the world were present, either in person or on assignment, and they came here today to create a painting by the greatest painter of the 20th century, Picasso, painted in Königsberg in 1896. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

"George, what do you think this painting will fetch in the end?" One asked the man next to him.

George replied, "Vincent, the painting starts at $150 million, and I guess it's going to be the highest price in this year's auction." You must know that this painting is different from Picasso's later style, mainly the three people in the painting. ”

Vincent listened and said, "Who's to say it's not? A founder and developer of the Red Empire, a leader of the White Russian Army, and a famous marshal of the Red Empire, do you think this is worth it? I really don't know how these three people got together? ”

"I was chatting with a descendant of the Werther family some time ago, and he told me that in fact, those two people almost got married, but for some reason the two of them parted ways. Later, Witte overthrew the tsar's rule, and the man's father was also shot dead in the palace, and then the two fought for half their lives because of different ideas, but after the death of that person, the strongman himself went to collect the body, and later buried it in the cemetery of the Odessavet family. George whispered.

Vincent nodded after hearing this and said, "It turns out that there is such a history, look, the auction has begun." ”

Back in 1896, Königsberg, located in the southern part of the Sambia Peninsula, was an important German port in East Prussia, and of course the capital of East Prussia, and was the anchorage of the German Baltic Fleet, although this fleet actually consisted of only a few offshore defense boats. Königsberg, once the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, naturally has many historical buildings and former residences of famous people.

The three of Witte stayed at a local hotel called "Ostpreu?enhotel", although the name of the store is named after East Prussia, but it is a very small hotel, but the history of the hotel is relatively old, according to the hotel's reception staff, this hotel has a history of more than 100 years.

Early the next morning, after having a breakfast full of local characteristics at the hotel, the three of them went out to the Kant house in the village of Vyselevka outside the city. It is not very far from the hotel in the city to Kant's house, and because there are already large passenger cars in the city, similar to the buses that came later, you only need to pay a fare of 1.5 marks per person, and the vehicles will take you to where you want to go according to the prescribed routes.

Speaking of Kant, many people know him as a German philosopher, but what many people don't know is that during the Seven Years' War in the 18th century, the Russian army defeated the Prussian army in East Prussia and marched under the city of Königsberg. At that time, all the nobles and commoners in Königsberg unanimously decided to surrender to the Russian army and swore allegiance to the then Empress Elizabeth of Russia, including Kant, who was already a professor at the University of Königsberg. After the Russian occupation, Kant sent a letter to Empress Elizabeth requesting that he be granted a professorship at the University of Königsberg, in which he called himself "your most faithful servant, Kant".

In fact, Russian rule over East Prussia lasted only four years at that time. But during these four years, the Russians took full control of East Prussia's economy, society, and politics, and coins bearing the Russian coat of arms and the statue of Empress Elizabeth were issued, and East Prussians who had acquired Russian citizenship could join the army or work in the government. This comprehensive and effective governance led to the widespread recognition of East Prussia as part of the Russian Empire during these four years. Even Frederick the Great, the then monarch of Prussia, was somewhat resigned in his words: "If the Russians want to occupy East Prussia forever, they will have to compensate me in other areas." In this sense, Kant can be considered Russian to some extent.

The three of Witte looked at Kant's house, and then came to the village to wander around, the countryside here is as quiet and peaceful as the Russian countryside, the people in the fields are busy making various preparations before the summer harvest, the wheat in the fields has begun to gradually turn yellow, compared to the gap between the cities, the gap between the two in the countryside seems small on the surface, but inside, Witte knows that most of the people who work in these lands in Germany are free people, and most of the Russians are still serfs.

"Vasya, the scenery here is so beautiful, if there is a painter, I really want the painter to paint a portrait of me, so that this beautiful scenery can be preserved." Beloeva said, looking at the beautiful scenery of the countryside.

When Witt heard this, he immediately felt that it was really a woman's love for beauty that had never weakened, but the tools used in different times were different, and the painter painting was like the Polaroid and beauty cameras of later generations, all of which could combine their most beautiful figures with beautiful landscapes to preserve, or just retain their beautiful faces.

Witt didn't know how to reply for a while, when Vadim, who had been running wildly in the fields, suddenly came over and said, "Sister Sasha, are you looking for someone to paint?" I just saw a man scribbling on a piece of paper in the field over there, maybe it's the artist you said. ”

When Beloeva heard this, she suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly asked, "Where is it?"

"Isn't that the man?" As he spoke, Vadim pointed to a field on his right, where a young-looking man was standing with a sketchpad in front of him, but he didn't know if he was painting.

As soon as Beloyeva saw it, she immediately picked up the hem of her skirt and ran towards the position where the person was, and when Witt saw that she glared at Vadim, who didn't know what was happening, she followed behind Beloyeva, and Vadim, who was dazed, shook his head and followed.

Before Witte arrived, Beloeva had already arrived at the man's side and asked in French: "Sir, can you help me paint a picture?" I'd like to use the scenery as a backdrop, okay? ”

The man who was staring intently at the sketchboard in contemplation looked up and saw Beloeva's eyes looking at him, and the painter blushed slightly and replied in French: "Of course, this beautiful young lady." ”

At this time, Werther also came here, and took a look at this young man, who was simply a little Zhengtai, and at first glance he was afraid that he was not even 18, and compared himself again: his height seems to be a little taller than me, but he is thinner than me, but his face is really delicate, but at first glance he is a playboy. Witt didn't know why, he had already given this guy a big cross in his heart.

At this time, Beloeva, who was beside her, excitedly said to Witt: "Vasya, this gentleman has promised to paint for me, you can come with me." ”

"Good!" Werther didn't know what his purpose was, so he agreed.

As soon as the little Masata heard the words of the two of them, he asked, "Sir and Mademoiselle are Russian?" ”

"Yes, we are here to visit Germany." Before Witte could speak, Beloeva replied preemptively: "I'll trouble this gentleman to help us paint." ”

After hearing this, Xiao Zhengtai said: "No problem, you two, oh, no, you three just stand over there, the scenery there is more beautiful, and it matches this lady's dress today." ”

As soon as Beloeva heard this, she pulled Witt in the direction pointed by the painter, and urged Vadim, who was holding behind, as she walked: "Vadim, hurry up. ”

Painting is very time-consuming, and it is a mental effort for the painter to fully combine the characters with the background organically and skillfully, and to consider a variety of composition methods to make the whole painting appear harmonious; For the subject - the model, it is a test of physical strength, standing there and being instructed by the artist in your movements and postures, and unlike the camera that is OK with a shutter press, this requires a movement to remain motionless for a long time, which is a test for anyone.

"That's right, the camera! At this time, I should already have a camera, it seems that I will have to buy one when I return to the city, no matter how expensive it is, I will have to buy one, if something like this happens, it is better to take pictures than to paint. Werther, who had been fiddling with the little master for a long time, was thinking nonsense in his head.

Two hours, two full hours, the little master finally finished the painting, at this time Werther had no strength, but Beloeva happily ran to the painting to see the finished product, after reading it, immediately pulled up Werther, who was sitting on the ground, to the painting and said: "Vasya, how beautiful do you see this painting?" ”

When Witte looked at the scenery and people in the painting, he couldn't help but exclaim: "It's beautiful! Sir, I don't know your last name? ”

"Oh, my name is Pablo. Ruiz. Picasso, I came to Königsberg during the school holidays, and I didn't expect to meet you. Xiao Zhengtai replied with a smile.

"You're Picasso?" Witt asked in surprise when he heard Xiao Zhengtai's answer.

Picasso didn't understand why the person in front of him was so surprised, did he know himself, so he replied in wonder: "Yes, I'm Picasso." ”

Witt knew that he had lost his temper, so he hurriedly covered it up: "I'm sorry, because you have the same name as a friend of mine, so I'm a little surprised." ”

"Oh, okay. If you two don't have anything else to do, I'm going back. Picasso said, "I'll go back and give this painting to the two of you, I don't know where you live?" ”

"We stayed at the East Prussian Hotel in Königsberg, where you can send the paintings, and we will stay in Königsberg for two days," Beloeva said. ”

"No problem, I'll send them over tomorrow." After saying goodbye to Witte and Beloyeva, Picasso turned and headed in the direction of the village.

Beloeva looked at Picasso in the distance, then looked at Witt and said: "Vasya, what's the matter with you today, you feel that you are absent-minded?" Do you know what you scared that guy just now? ”

Witt also felt a little too excited, so he said: "Maybe I've been a model there for a long time, let's go back, I'm going to buy a camera as soon as I get to Königsberg, I don't want to be a model anymore." ”

"Haha." Beloeva laughed uncontrollably, at this moment she lost a little of the so-called ladylike manners.

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