During his life, many picturesque plot paintings were created by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. The painting "Carpet-plane" was painted by him in 1880. This is the artistâs second work (after The Knight at the Crossroads), in which he turned to fabulous subjects.
Brief biography of the artist
Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov was born in the village of Lopyal, which was located in the Vyatka province of the Russian Empire. This event, significant not only for his family, but also for many future fans of the masterâs work, took place on May 15, 1848.
The boy's father was a church priest. Having graduated first from the Vyatka Theological College, then from the Theological Seminary, the young man left to enter the Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg. He began to exhibit his work, while still a student, since 1869. In 1878, Vasnetsov became a member of the Association of Wanderers, visited France, Italy. In 1893 he became a full member of the Academy of Fine Arts.
At first, the creator drew for magazines, inexpensive folk editions. In the 1870s, he painted a number of paintings, which showed the life of officials, small merchants, the urban poor. In 1879, the artist left this genre painting and turned to folk tales, epics, and stories. Among his most famous canvases on fairy-tale themes: âAlyonushkaâ, âIvan the Tsarevich on the Gray Wolfâ, âAthletesâ, âSnow Maidenâ.
One of the first works, which marked his transition to the folk fairy-tale theme of Vasnetsov, was the painting âCarpet-Aircraftâ.
History of the canvas
Who knows, a picture that would later become so famous would have seen the world, if not for Savva Ivanovich Mamonov, a philanthropist and major industrialist. It was he who ordered Vasnetsov a painting on this subject, saying that it was necessary to draw 3 canvases, which needed to decorate the cabinet of the then-built Donetsk Railway. But first, he talked with Viktor Mikhailovich and found out what he would like to portray on canvas. I must say that Mamontov in every possible way contributed to the promotion and unification of talented people, he gave Vasnetsov the opportunity to transfer his creative desires to the canvas.
As expected, the board did not agree to hang paintings on such subjects in his office, but Vasnetsovâs work was not in vain - his canvas, like the second, was bought by Mamontov himself, and the third was acquired by the philanthropistâs brother.
Vasnetsov, painting "Carpet-plane." Brief description of the painting
At his creation, the artist captured the dream of people about flying. In those days, aircraft were not yet invented, but many wanted to soar into the sky, a bird's-eye view.
To do this, back in ancient times, people made wings, then hang gliders, balloons. This dream was also reflected in old folk tales in which heroes can move like this, as Viktor Vasnetsov showed.
The picture "Carpet-plane" is multifaceted. In its center we see a carpet that spread its wings-corners like a bird. A beautifully dressed fairy-tale hero stands confidently on it . He holds with one hand the cage in which the Firebird is located.
Continuation of the brief description
The carpet soared even higher than the birds, it is seen how owls are surprised to look at a strange vehicle.
In the background, the artist depicted endless Russian spaces. In a light predawn fog, a river merges, a field with a vast sky. To create a mood of expectation of a miracle, Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov picked up very faithful colors. The picture âCarpet-planeâ creates a favorable mood in the viewer. There are no annoying spots, all shades and colors are very harmoniously combined with each other. Contemplation of this canvas helps to calm, awaken dreams and immersion in the world of dreams.
A detailed description of the details of the masterpiece - the beginning
Now the name of the artist and his creation for many have become almost synonymous, itâs enough to say: âVasnetsov - the paintingâ Carpet-plane â, - the description of the painting and the image of its creator will immediately pop up in memory. This will help to better remember the author and develop associative thinking. In order for the canvas to remain in memory for a long time, it is necessary to pay attention to its smallest details.
The sky is painted in white and pink in places. Gleams of the sun conveys yellow. It is reflected in the river, extending below. High calm, it was these shades that helped to see it. Against this background, the main characters of the canvas look great.
Continuation of the detailed description of the details of the masterpiece
When schoolchildren, pupils of grades 5-6 will be asked to write a work on the theme âVasnetsov,â Carpet-plane â, the composition can begin with a story about the writer and continue with a description of the details of the picture. Speaking about the carpet, it must be pointed out that the role of its two wings is played by the corners of the weaving. Diagonally, almost at the same distance from them, the canvas slightly curved upward. This part is similar to the back of a bird. It can be easily imagined under the carpet. It is the shape of the big bird that the outline of the carpet has.
On it stands the hero of a fairy tale. He fulfilled the king's order - he obtained in the far lands a wonderful Firebird. The young man put her in a cage to take her to her destination.
Three owls, depicted on the left side of the canvas, even wider in surprise opened their already large eyes. After all, far from every day they manage to see in the sky a man flying on a carpet. All this was very reliably able to convey Vasnetsov.
Painting "Carpet-plane", composition
Students can also begin their creative work in literature with a description of the canvas itself, its details. If the teacher suggests you come up with your own storyline on this fabulous topic, you can write the following. In one city there lived a smart young man named Ivan. When he grew up, he went to study, then work.
Once, a guy saw a princess through the walls of a fence and decided to marry her. But the girlâs father came up with various tests for the groom. With all the brave Ivan dealt, after one of them got a carpet-plane. The last task was to bring the bird. And it turned out to be a youth on the shoulder. Now he flies towards his dream and his enlightened face illuminates the bright brilliance emanating from the magical creature in the cage.