Korin’s painting “Alexander Nevsky” is the central part of the triptych of the same name, the left part is called “Northern Ballad”, the right part is “Ancient Tale”. The work was carried out in difficult times for Russia - from 1942 to 1943.
The mite of artists on the altar of victory
She thought first of all to raise the fighting spirit of warriors. The picture is a story, a picture is a reminder of the fortitude of the defenders of the fatherland, of the invincibility of Russian weapons. “Alexander Nevsky” is a picture that has become on a par with canvases dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, such as the paintings by A. Deineka on the defense of Sevastopol and the outskirts of Moscow in 1941, when the enemy stood a few kilometers from the capital. S. Gerasimov writes an amazing picture about the mother of the partisan. A. Bubnov addresses the topic of Kulikov field. Artists of the Soviet Union in those days with their works contributed to the victory over the fascist invaders.
Enduring Faith
“Alexander Nevsky” is a picture, or rather, a triptych, which tells how a Russian woman escorts her son, husband or brother to war with enemies. The central part is dedicated to the warrior, whose victory is beyond anyone's strength. The final section is a hint that the feat accomplished by the Russian people will go down in history and will never be forgotten. The author of the work does not doubt for a minute that the victory will be won.
I would like to note this phenomenon of Soviet art, which consists in the fact that films, paintings, literary works created at the beginning, in the middle of the war, spoke of the upcoming victory as a fact that can not be doubted. This great faith of the Russian people, supported by the masters of art and literature, raised the military spirit and forged victory.
"Who will come to us with a sword ..."
It has been suggested that “Alexander Nevsky”, the painting, which is the central part of the triptych, was a prelude to the main canvas of the artist’s entire life - “Outgoing Russia”. This masterpiece has remained unfinished.
Like it or not, the triptych itself is magnificent. Its central part is especially good. The figure of the Grand Duke is drawn as if from below and therefore rises above the endless expanses of the Russian land. Power and tranquility, so successfully portrayed by A. Korin, indicate that Nevsky does not threaten the enemy, he has already defeated them all on his head. “Alexander Nevsky” is a picture that echoes the finale of the immortal film of Sergei Eisenstein of the same name. With that epic moment, when one of the greatest heroes of Russia utters words about a punishing sword and about what “the Russian land will stand and stand”. The face of the hero of the canvas A. Korin does not look like Nikolai Cherkasov, but the meaning of the image itself, its spirit and greatness are conveyed just as brilliantly. This is the image of a great warrior and national hero. And in people's memory, he remained just like that, largely thanks to the film and the film “Alexander Nevsky”.
The description of the picture can be continued with words about the color scheme of the canvas. It is strict. The figure of the prince is designed in gray, red tones. The scarlet cloak emphasizes the brilliance of steel armor and the sword, on which the victorious prince rests.
Some details of the picture
All parts of military equipment are meticulously accurate. The upper right corner is occupied by a black banner with the image of the Savior, the Bright Eye, which became the main blessing of the people for feats of arms.
The icon of the Savior the Bright Eye for many centuries inspired the Russian army before the greatest battles. The dark flag contrasts with the soft blue sky, along which snow-white clouds run. The ingenious canvas 275 x 142 in size is stored in the State Tretyakov Gallery.