In the history of Russian culture, the creativity of the artist Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov is of great importance. The main themes of his work were folklore and Russian history. His versatility in skill, genre plan and performance technique contributed to the creation of such masterpieces as: "Alyonushka", "Three Heroes", "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf", "Snegurochka" and others. A special place among numerous creations should be given to painting B. Vasnetsov "After the Battle of Igor Svyatoslavich with the Polovtsy" (1880). We offer you the history of the painting, its description, reviews about it.
History of the creation of a masterpiece
We are considering a picture inspired by the poetic legend of the Russian people, "The Word of Igor's Campaign". About the campaign of the Prince of Kiev to the Polovtsy, we learn from the school curriculum. Vasnetsov looked at the distant past with "the eyes of the soul", tried to keep in touch with him. To do this, he had to study these events quite carefully. The artist re-read many historical works, materials, made many preparatory sketches, sketches, and outline. He read the Word several times to discover the high truth, to enjoy the poetic charm.
Vasnetsov experienced the most excitement when reading the lines about the death of Igor's troops.
From dawn to evening, the whole day
From evening to light the arrows roar
Thunders of sharp saber thunder,
With a bang, spears break in damask ...
... The third day they are already fighting;
The third day is approaching noon;
Here and Igor’s banners fell!
... Already the brave Russians did not
It's bloody wine for a feast
Watered matchmakers, and yourself
Died for the patriotic earth.
And let the arrows fly, the spears break, a terrible battle is going on.
Viktor Mikhailovich tried to portray this episode in the film "After the Battle of Igor Svyatoslavich and the Polovtsy." The canvas was presented in 1880 at the eighth traveling exhibition. We do not know the detailed history of the creation, since the artist kept everything “under seven locks”. He was naturally modest and hidden. He spoke little about his work, he was wary of excessive interest in his person. The picture was perceived by contemporaries ambiguously, but nevertheless, many noted the great patriotism of the canvas. It was very important for the mood of the Russian people, because during the years of writing the masterpiece the Russo-Turkish war was going on.
Acquisition of the painting by Tretyakov
Vasnetsov had a chance to collaborate with major Russian philanthropists. One of them was Savva Ivanovich Mamontov. This major industrialist, sculptor, musician, and theatergoer often gathered artists, actors, and writers in his house. They ordered several paintings from Viktor Mikhailovich.
After some time, Vasnetsov met with the philanthropist Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov. He acquired in his gallery the painting "After the Battle of Igor Svyatoslavich with the Polovtsy". Many fans of art are pleased with the masterpiece in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and in our time.
The plot of the picture "After the Battle of Igor Svyatoslavich with the Polovtsy"
The content of Vasnetsov’s picture shows the end of the terrible battle with the Polovtsian army. We see only dead warriors. A fierce battle took the lives of experienced fighters, as well as very young heroes. Enemy arrows did not spare anyone. The peculiarity of the canvas is that dead warriors do not cause much horror. The artist does not draw a real devastation after the battle. Dead defenders seem to be sleeping. There are no bloodied bodies or torn off body parts. Death levels, calmed down and resolved all conflicts. Next to the Russian heroes are the Polovtsian warriors, only in the background are the canvases. Weapons no longer needed are scattered everywhere. And for some heroes it still remained in clasped hands.
Many critics argued for a long time after the appearance of Vasnetsov’s picture. Many believed that it was impossible to interpret a historical event in this way. It on the canvas seemed to them untrue, nothing spoke of the fury of the battle and the outcome. Usually, after the battle, the bodies of the soldiers are badly wounded, their faces are distorted, their clothes are covered in blood and chopped to shreds. But Vasnetsov also had defenders. So, he was supported by the great master Repin. He saw in the picture a completely new direction, the first Russian painting in such a performance.
Features of the composition
What does the unusual composition of the canvas "After the battle ..." say? We can immediately conclude that the soldiers fought until their last gasp. The culmination of the picture is a hero lying in foreshortening and spreading his arms. The artist showed him a powerful, beautiful, full of military valor. The viewer immediately presents him alive, in the form of a mighty warrior in armor. Apparently, the invincible hero did not immediately die, but for a long time fought the enemy. No one was left alive. Vasnetsov especially carefully developed the image of this experienced warrior.
Next to the mighty hero is a beautiful young warrior. An enemy arrow pierced his heart. In these two images, the artist shows that both experienced fighters and young fighters stood up to defend the Fatherland. They gave their lives for the freedom of their native land.
In the background is another Russian warrior, in whose hands remained a pinched bow, from which he was going to shoot at the last moment. These heroes are filled with the magnificent spirit of the Rus, who gave their lives for a great cause. In the background of the canvas, the battered bodies of the Polovtsy, who died a painful death, are visible. The artist did not pay much attention to the depiction of their bodies. One ladle lies on his side, the other is bent, the third - fell on his back and threw back his head.
Nature in the plot
Vasnetsov devoted a special place to the depiction of nature in the picture. The viewer watches the battle of two eagles in the air. They symbolize the spirit of freedom. Another eagle sits on the left and adjusts its plumage with its beak. The terrible picture after the battle is complemented by the impending thunderclouds. The steppe slowly closes under their shadow. Behind the clouds, a reddened sinister moon is visible.
The last refuge of the soldiers was the battlefield, decorated with wildflowers and green grass. The viewer feels that the picture is dusk. It is also worth noting the armor of soldiers depicted by the artist, decorated with traditional ornament.
The idea of ​​creating the canvas
Living in St. Petersburg, Vasnetsov was interested in the genre of folk traditions. This inspired him to create the described masterpiece. To create the plot of the monumental canvas, he took genuine events. It traces the traditions of the Russian folk epic. The artist depicted the glorious feat of Russian soldiers based on the "Word about Igor's Regiment". His idea is to show the battle, glorified by the people and chroniclers, so that the descendants retain the memory of the majestic images of the defenders of their native land.
Reviews about the picture
Today, the painting of the Great Master Vasnetsov is a national treasure, stored in the State Tretyakov Gallery. Often, high school students come here after studying the "Words about Igor's Regiment". And then they are asked to write the essay "After the Battle of Igor Svyatoslavich with the Polovtsy" based on the plot of the picture. Reviews about the canvas are quite positive, because it depicts the most important events of Russian history. Vasnetsov glorified the brave Russian heroes, ripened their feat. The painting is 2 meters high and 4 meters wide. Many people note the particular patriotism of the painting.
Other paintings by Vasnetsov on the distant past
Viktor Mikhailovich is also called the “hero” of Russian folklore painting. He fully revealed the direction of Russian history, folklore. The artist carefully painted every detail. Many of Vasnetsov’s works evoke a special patriotic spirit among the audience: “Athletes”, “Athlete Gallop”, “Nestor the Chronicler”. For some time, the artist was engaged in painting churches. Religious subjects are dedicated to the paintings: "The Virgin and Child", "Christ Almighty", "God of Hosts". Many of Vasnetsov’s plots are performed with special artistic techniques that are inherent only to the great brush master.