Russian artist Vasnetsov Viktor Mikhailovich is considered the founder of the "Russian style" of painting. This style was born at the intersection of the historical genre, folklore traditions and symbolism trends. Vasnetsov's brushes belong to canvases illustrating plots of fairy tales and epics. The rich Russian culture and original folk art became for the artist generous sources of inspiration.
Painting Vasnetsov "The Knight at the Crossroads." History of creation
The end of the 70s of XIX was for V.M. Vasnetsova turning point. He decisively moved away from genre realistic painting and graphics, from which he began his career. At this time, he was captivated by the idea of finding the exact pictorial embodiment of the characteristic elements of epic poetry. Especially his attention was attracted by the colorful images of Russian heroes.
In these years, he conceived the picture "The Knight at the Crossroads." Vasnetsov made several pencil sketches and began to paint a painting, the first version of which was completed in 1877 and presented to the public at the next exhibition of Wanderers in 1878.
The final look of Vasnetsov's painting “The Knight at the Crossroads” was received in 1882. It is in this version that it is known today to the general public.
Comparative analysis of two options
comparison table| Differences in the final version | Symbolism |
| In the first case, the Knight turned to face the viewer, and in the second - his back. | The viewer's attention was transferred from the facial expressions of a hero to the pose of a rider and a horse. In the epics of the burrows of horses always copies the habits of riders. |
| Reduced the space behind the hero. | No matter where the traveler came from. |
| Increased space behind the stone. | More will accept the impending danger. |
| The sky has become more formidable. In the first case - a soft sunset, in the second - oncoming clouds. | Another sign of impending danger. |
The spear has turned red and in the final version indicates the skull. | Red is the color of blood and aggression. |
| The stone became older and moss appeared on it. | According to the author’s idea, moss closes two alternative safe options from the traveler’s eyes. |
Thus, making a number of amendments to the picture “The Knight at the Crossroads”, Vasnetsov made the canvas more dramatic and expressive. It causes more emotions in the viewer.
Painting Vasnetsov "The Knight at the Crossroads." Description
In the center of the canvas is the figure of a hero on a beautiful white horse. The horseman stopped in thought before an old moss-covered stone. The inscription on it portends an imminent death to someone who continues the journey along this road.
The hero is in military vestments. There is a forged helmet on his head, a spear in his hands, a shield and a quiver with arrows behind his back. However, his posture indicates a lot of fatigue. Therefore, he hesitates, not daring to re-engage in battle.
The pose and appearance of the horse confirm the assumption that travelers have not known rest for many days. He bowed his head wearily. Neither wind nor fighting excitement develops its tail and mane. They hang limply, showing an extreme degree of fatigue.
Mastery of detail image
Vasnetsov's painting “The Knight at the Crossroads” anticipates the appearance in the painting of a psychological landscape, a “landscape of mood”. The terrible sunset sky, randomly scattered boulders, human remains and circling in anticipation of a new prey of the crow - all this stirs up the tragedy of the situation.
A stone deserves special attention. V.M. Vasnetsov emphasized that the text of the inscription was taken by him from the original samples of epic poetry. By tradition, such stones gave the traveler the opportunity to choose. The road was closed in only one direction, the other two promised wealth and happiness. The author intentionally wiped and covered with moss part of the inscription in order to put his hero in a situation as tragic as possible.
The text of the inscription can be tried to parse in the presented photo. “The Knight at the Crossroads” is a picture on which the author worked for almost 10 years. This is one of the peak works of V.M. Vasnetsova.