Victor Vasnetsov was born into the family of a priest. The artist’s homeland was the Vyatka region - a place where at that time they remembered and sacredly honored ancient rites and customs, folk tales. The boy’s imagination was captured by the poetry of fairy tales, epics, songs. During his studies at the Academy of Arts (1868-1875), Vasnetsov eagerly studied the history of his people, the Russian heroic epics. One of the artist's first works was the painting “The Knight”, which depicts a calm hero who guards the border of the Russian land. With great enthusiasm, the young artist worked on illustrations for fairy tales: "The Little Humpbacked Horse", "The Firebird". The passion for the epic-fairy-tale genre made Viktor Vasnetsov a real star of Russian painting. His paintings are not just an image of Russian antiquity, but a reproduction of the powerful national spirit and meaning of Russian history.
The famous painting "Heroes" was created in the village of Abramtsevo near Moscow. This canvas today is often called "Three heroes." Vasnetsov gave the
description of the picture in a short but capacious remark: “The heroes Dobrynya, Ilya and Alyosha Popovich at the heroic exit — they note in the field whether there is an enemy where they are offending anyone.”
The hilly steppe, covered with a feather grass and in some places young fir-trees, spread widely. She herself, as acting characters, speaks of the strength and courage of Russian heroes. Note this, preceding the description of the picture. Three heroes of Vasnetsov are ready to defend their native land and their people.
Work on the great canvas took the artist almost seventeen years, and it began with a sketch made with a pencil in faraway Paris. As soon as the artist made the final touch, Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov bought the canvas for his collection. So this painting of Vasnetsov found its place in the Tretyakov Gallery. Three heroes still look at us from the wall of the famous gallery.
The artist understood his work on the painting as "a creative duty, an obligation to his native people." He noticed that even at the moments when he left work on the work, his heart was always drawn and his hand was drawn. What can be seen, trying to make a fairly deep description of the picture?
Three heroes
Vasnetsov was captured by heroic characters. Creating these monumental images on canvas, the artist sought to endow them with an impressive appearance, memorable features. Ilya Muromets in the center of the composition is an extraordinary nature, he is powerful, calm, collected, wisdom and confidence are felt in his appearance. His hand, raised to his eyes, easily holds a heavy club, sharply sparkles a spear in his other hand. Nevertheless, the view of the hero is not intimidating - he breathes all with pacified kindness.
To the left of Ilya is Dobrynya, the second most important in the heroic trinity. Prince of origin, warrior by vocation, Dobrynya Nikitich is smart and educated. In a decisive pose and a keen look, the artist emphasizes the remarkable character of the snake-fighter Dobrynia (he defeats the Serpent Gorynych in epics). In his hands is the sword that the hero holds not with reckless dashing, but with confident power. Looking at the hero, we are convinced that he will be able to skillfully use weapons at the right time. Alesha, the son of a Rostov priest, sits on a horse to the right of his older comrades. He easily holds a bow in his hand and glances with a cunning. In Alyosha Popovich, a young enthusiasm plays, and it is felt that a guy with excitement will rush into the moment of danger to protect his friends and the earth.
Without a description of the horses, a description of the picture will not be complete. Three heroes of Vasnetsov see in their horses friends and associates. The appearance of each animal is associated with the qualities of the hero. Under Ilya - thorough, stubborn and faithful crow. The white horse of Dobryny is proud and full of dignity. Alyosha's red-haired horse is graceful and simple, a harp is fastened to a blanket.
Composition and landscape
Each detail is full of meaning, and it is important to say this, making a detailed description of the picture. The three heroes of Vasnetsov seemed to be related to the landscape, subtly conveying the heroic mood of the picture. The figures are located in the center of the border between earth and sky, a rebellious free wind blows, a strong bird hovers above the hills in the depths of the canvas. There is tension and anxiety in the air. But the image of heroes - warriors and godly people of the Russian land exudes confidence and reliability.