Vasily Vereshchagin - Russian artist of amazing fate. For contemporaries both in Russia and in Europe, he is the creator of outstanding masterpieces of painting, who never tried to conform to generally accepted trends, but sought exclusively individual style.
He lived, as it were, contrary to the established rules, as if not feeling the oppression of life's troubles and difficult circumstances.
According to the memoirs of contemporaries, Vereshchagin was a man of an egocentric warehouse, more than once allowing himself to make statements and deeds that go against the generally accepted attitudes.
His contribution to the world art of painting is invaluable, therefore, to this day, his legendary canvases are collected by tens of thousands of spectators who want to join the talent of the illustrious master.
We present the top 10 most famous paintings of Vereshchagin with photos and names of works.
10. Boat trip
Throughout his career, Vereshchagin had a great interest in Japan. The land of the rising sun attracted the painter with its culture unlike any other Asian country.
Back in 1874 he was going to visit Japan and only after 7 years the dream finally came true. The travel impressions were reflected only in a few paintings of Vereshchagin, one of which is “Boat ride“.
The artist’s paintings on the Japanese theme are characterized by a certain imbalance in the composition, focusing on the randomness of the captured episode, the airiness of the color scheme, and the use of impressionistic techniques.
9. Mullah Rahim and Mullah Kerim quarrel on the way to the bazaar
In 1869-1870, Vereshchagin again visited Turkestan. There, he was expecting adventures full of dangers and amazing discoveries, as a result of which he wrote a large series of drawings and sketches from life, which he later used to create the Turkestan series of paintings.
In the final version, the Turkestan series contained 13 paintings, 81 studies and 133 drawings, among which was the picture “Mullah Rahim and Mullah Karim quarrel on the way to the bazaar“. As such, it was exhibited in London in 1873.
These works are distinguished by a variety of themes of paintings, which covered different aspects of everyday life, the specifics of social relations and customs of the peoples of Asia.
The views of Central Asian nature intersect closely with the ethnographically accurate display of vibrant folk types and the originality of local customs.
8. Mortally wounded
A yellow battlement, standing against a bright blue sky, is the only detail of the painting, indicating the place of unfolding events. The soldier instinctively pressed his hands to his chest, hoping to stop the blood beating from the stream of mortal wounds.
The simple Russian face of a soldier became so dark under the scorching sun of the east that he would return alive and healthy to his native village, he would most likely be mistaken for a basurman.
7. In the Turkish Mortuary
In the picture "In the Turkish Mortuary”Shows the deceased of a Turkish hospital located in Plevna during the Russian-Turkish campaign of 1877-1878.
Here the dead soldiers lie with the wounded, because of which contemporaries christened the canvas - “Eight square meters of death“.
6. A wealthy Kyrgyz hunter with a falcon
Picture “Rich Kyrgyz hunter with a falcon”Is dedicated to Vereshchagin’s friend, Baitik Kanaev, whom they met in 1867, when Baitik arrived in the capital of the Russian Empire as representatives of Turkestan at a celebration organized by the tsar.
The high, strong, colorful representative of the nomadic intelligentsia, who knew Russian well, aroused great respect and interest among the artist.
In turn, Baitik Kanaev, who had never before seen such paintings, because Islam forbids the drawing of living beings, was struck by Vereshchagin's talent.
Later, during the Turkestan campaigns, the famous painter and Kyrgyz batyr, who had a strong rejection of the Kokand khanate, was favorably disposed towards Russia.
5. Attack by surprise
Picture “Attack by surprise”Depicts one of the important moments of the battle. The main theme of this work is the inflexibility and unprecedented heroism of a Russian soldier. These features are manifested not only in moments of gallant victories, but also in the most difficult situation.
A small detachment of Russian soldiers in a mountain valley was suddenly attacked by the enemy. The mood of the battle scene and the expression of the cavalry rushing to the camp are very reliably conveyed.
At the same time, several brave Russian soldiers were not confused in the face of a mortal threat and rallied in order to give battle to the enemy to the last drop of blood.
4. Japanese
“Japanese”- probably one of the most lyrical works of the artist, which reveals the lesser-known side of his talent. In this work, Vereshchagin's love for ethnography, household features, traditions and authentic outfits of Japan was clearly manifested.
Even the color scheme of the canvas sets the viewer in an oriental mood: a combination of red, black, purple ... A picture was painted while the artist was visiting Japan.
From the point of view of constructing the composition, the canvas is well thought out - even the frame for the picture was selected specifically and, most likely, by individual order of Vereshchagin himself. It depicts a classic oriental ornament.
3. Mausoleum of Taj Mahal near Agra
Picture “Taj Mahal Mausoleum in Agra”Is truly a masterpiece of painting. Fascinated by the splendor of the temple, the painter displays on the canvas all its grandeur, smooth lines, ideal proportions, the color scheme of the whole composition.
Amazing architecture, as if in a mirror, is reflected in the surface of a reservoir. Probably a whole arsenal of artistic means and techniques have found their virtuoso application here.
The Taj Mahal owes its fame not only to its unique architecture, which miraculously combines grandeur and grace, but also to the legend associated with its creation.
The mausoleum was erected in the 17th century by the ruler of the empire, Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, whose death in childbirth became a real tragedy for him.
2. In conquered Moscow
Picture “In conquered Moscow”Depicts the scene of the execution by a detachment of French troops of Russian partisans, who were a kind of saboteurs in the territories occupied by the enemy.
According to the laws of war, the city, which includes the enemy army, must bow before the conqueror. P
After entering Moscow, Napoleon first appointed from among his close associates those people who could pacify any rebellion.
The execution depicted in this picture takes place in an Orthodox church.
1. The Apotheosis of War
The legendary picture “The Apotheosis of War”Consider the most famous work of Vereshchagin. This is one of the ruthless and expressive artistic denunciations of war.
Despite the fact that the picture was painted under the impression of the primitive bloodthirstiness of the eastern conquerors, it is devoid of a specific focus, but rather it is dedicated to all those who support or are directly involved in fomenting wars and conflicts. It is not in vain that Vereshchagin himself left an inscription on the frame that the canvas is dedicated to the conquerors of the past, present and future.
According to a popular legend, the troops of Timur left a terrible set of dead bodies and skulls, folded into a pyramid. Even in the days when the artist lived, this terrible tradition was preserved - the eastern commanders perceived the cut-off fragments of the bodies of the enemies they killed as military trophies.
Vereshchagin took this tradition as a symbol. As a result, the world saw a picture unique in its expressiveness and power of influence on the viewer, which, unfortunately, has not lost its relevance to this day.