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Video: Why "Heroes" were seen only 27 years after their creation and other curious facts about the famous painting by Vasnetsov
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Victor Vasnetsov devoted more than 25 years of his life and work to the creation of a painting, which later became his most recognizable work. “Heroes” is a painting by Viktor Vasnetsov. The main characters are heroes of many legends: Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich. Despite the different history of each hero, they all defended their land and fought for their homeland. And, of course, they were all adored by the people.
History of creation
Today Vasnetsov's work is familiar to every Russian, because everyone, as a child, saw Vasnetsov's paintings in their favorite Russian fairy tales. The illustration with "Bogatyrs" is very often reproduced in school textbooks in order to evoke a sense of patriotism in schoolchildren. In search of sublime feelings, the artist turns to Russian epics and fairy tales. As a child, Vasnetsov himself loved folk tales. He knew and loved the history of his country, and he managed to embody this love on his canvases.
Vasnetsov worked on the painting for almost twenty years. His idea arose back in 1871. From a pencil sketch of the heroes to starting work on a huge canvas - as many as 10 years of thought. Vasnetsov studied folk legends, thought over the details, prepared sketches and carried out preparatory work, looked after models for the heroes and selected suitable horses. In April 1898, the canvas was completed and bought by M. Tretyakov for his gallery. The hero (from the ancient Altai word "bagatur" - warrior, commander or epic hero) was a medieval warrior in Russia, akin to the Western European wandering knight.
Heroes of the picture
Who, then, are these three epic heroes? The very first is the prince's son Dobrynya Nikitich, the second is the peasant son Ilya Muromets, the third is the son of the priest Alyosha Popovich. These are historical heroes, physically strong and intelligent warriors who possessed great military virtues. Vasnetsov artistically conveyed not only the images of his heroes, but also noted their belonging to different social structures of Russian society at that time. Three heroes served the prince of Kiev Vladimir I. And each of them, as a rule, is known for a certain character trait: Alyosha Popovich - ingenuity, Dobrynya Nikitich - courage, Ilya Muromets - physical and spiritual strength. All of them are devoted to the protection of their homeland and people. Beautifully created landscape! Three heroes are on a wide plain with low hills, among yellow grass and small rare trees. The sky is cloudy and disturbing. A deep ravine can be seen behind the mountain. The landscape is simple: a wide strip of feather grass and a semi-steppe with rare dwarf firs. In the viewer's imagination, in this invisible ravine, Russian troops are hiding, ready, on the orders of three heroes, to rush to attack the enemy threatening their native land.
Nikitich
Dobrynya Nikitich is kind, smart, loved by the people. The painter does not hide his belonging to the princely family (precious princely armor testifies to this). His shield is made of expensive red metal with gold inlay. A large gold chain glitters on the chest - a sign of the princely family. Dobrynya's sword is enclosed in a golden sheath with precious stones, and elegant turquoise boots are enclosed in gilded stirrups. His gaze - stern and gloomy - expresses his readiness to defend the Motherland (even his hand holds a knife, ready to come out of its scabbard and defeat the enemy). Dobrynya's horse also testifies to the status of its master. This is a princely horse, which is noticeably different from the horses standing next to it. Dobrynya's horse is a purebred white Arab runner with burning eyes and swollen nostrils (they symbolize readiness for battle). The horse has a wide chest and agile, quick legs. The decoration of the horse, like the attire of Dobrynya, is expensive. Its bridle is decorated with gold medallions. The horse is ready to dash for the reins of the bridle. Dobrynya is depicted in epics as a dragon fighter (a hero who kills the dragon Gorynich), who won the victory with bravery. In addition, Dobrynya is a musician, chess player, archer and wrestler, known for his special knowledge and politeness. Historians believe that this character originated from the real Slavic commander Dobrynya, who led the troops of Svyatoslav the Great and instructed him.
Ilya Muromets
A completely different hero is Ilya Muromets. The largest figure in the picture. His gaze is directed into the distance, he judiciously evaluates the situation and territory. Ilya Muromets is ready to make the necessary decision (it is quite likely that this is his priority task). His black and shaggy "raven", a typical horse of the epic, is as powerful and strong as his rider. The horse arched its neck sharply, looking away with one bloodshot eye. As soon as he makes a move, the earth will hum under his heavy hooves, and steam and flame will burst from his nostrils. According to the legends, Ilya, the son of a peasant, was born in the village of Karacharovo, not far from Murom. In his youth, he became seriously ill and could not walk until the age of 33, until he was miraculously healed by two pilgrims. Then he received superhuman strength from the dying knight Svyatogor and went to liberate Kiev from the Idol in order to serve Prince Vladimir (Vladimir Kraasno Solnyshko). The prototype of the main knight for Vasnetsov was Saint Elijah of the Caves himself, whose relics rest in the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
Alesha Popovich
The rightmost character in the composition of the picture is Alyosha Popovich. He is holding a bow with arrows. It is impossible not to note the sharp contrast: in comparison with other powerful heroes, Alyosha Popovich looks thin. Yes, he is not physically strong, not powerful, but, as noted above, he is distinguished by his ingenuity. Alyosha Popovich is not only a warrior - he plays on his side. He plays them in a short minute, pleases the heroes with a hymn. Alyosha Popovich (literally Alexei, the son of a priest), along with Dobrynya Nikitich and Ilya Muromets, is a hero (that is, a medieval wandering knight). He is the youngest of the three main heroes of Kievan Rus. In the legends, he is described as the cunning son of a priest who wins by deceiving and outwitting his enemies. Alyosha Popovich is known for his dexterity and slyness (by the way, Vasnetsov skillfully conveyed the latter quality through the hero's gaze). By deception, he also defeated the dragon Tugarin Zmeevich. Interestingly, the 13-year-old son of Savva Mamontov, Andrei, served as the prototype for Alyosha Popovich. Unfortunately, 8 years later, in the midst of work on the canvas, the son of the patron died of complications after a cold. Vasnetsov had to complete the work from memory.
The favorite painting of Viktor Vasnetsov has always been "Alyonushka", but the most important talented Russian painter considered "Bogatyrs".
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