The name of Vasily Ivanovich Surikov is widely known not only in the world of fine and decorative arts, almost every Russian person has seen and knows his paintings.
The artist was born in Krasnoyarsk, in 1868 he arrived in St. Petersburg, where he began to study. In 1875, he was able to graduate from the Academy of Arts and receive the title of class artist of the first degree.
During his career, the painter painted many masterpieces. In our article you can find out about Surikov's most famous paintings with photographs and names of works.
10. Menshikov in Berezovo
The tragic fate of the favorite of Peter I - Prince Alexander Menshikov amazed the artist and became the plot for one of his most important works. Famous picture «Menshikov in Berezovo » was written in 1883.
The canvas depicts the prince himself, surrounded by his children. The faces of all the characters in the picture are filled with sadness, most likely about past times. Clothing and life of the heroes corresponds to the era in which they lived. The children of the prince symbolize the change of generations (life-affirming beginning).
Interesting fact: Menshikov was a native of the people, but he was smart, and therefore Tsar Peter I brought him closer to himself and made him a prince.
In the era of palace coups, the new government disliked the prince and sent into exile in the Siberian city of Berezov with his family, taking away all the property.
Nevertheless, in exile Menshikov did not become discouraged, he built himself a new house, he was a pious and serious man.
The prince, being at death, bequeathed to his children not to strive for higher power. Under the reign of Anna Ioannovna, they were allowed to return to Moscow, they were even able to get back part of their former property.
9. Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus
Many people know Surikov as a master of large-scale historical paintings, but, nevertheless, the artist in his work turned to religious subjects. Such a work was the picture The Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesuswhich was written in 1876.
The canvas is the third part of four large frescoes, designed to show the history of the Christian church from the 1st to the 9th century AD. The artist received this order in 1876, the painting was supposed to appear in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
8. The murder of Julius Caesar
Picture The Murder of Julius Caesar was written in 1875. The famous historical figure of Guy Julius Caesar aroused interest among many artists, artist V.I. Surikov was no exception.
Information from textbooks and books suggests that Caesar was the victim of a conspiracy of senators. Under his rule, the senate did not have any real power, many did not like this fact; the conspiracy against the politician was prepared by Guy Cassius Longin and Mark Junius Brutus.
Researchers report that Caesar received at least 23 stab wounds before dying. The scene of his murder slipped more than once in art.
Surikov, the painter, depicted Caesar sitting on a throne surrounded by those who were going to betray him. Everyone knows that a murder is being prepared, however, some senators are servilely looking at the ruler, expecting his speedy death. Caesar does not suspect anything, continuing to speak, turning to the audience.
7. Suvorov crossing the Alps
This canvas “Suvorov Crossing the Alps” was created in order to glorify the feat of the Russian commander Suvorov and his army for winning the battle with the French.
For reference: work on the canvas began in 1895, the painting was completed in 1899, that year just turned 100 years after the commander’s campaign.
To win, Suvorov decided to get to the enemy in the fastest, but very difficult way, it is this event that reflects the picture of Surikov.
On the canvas of the painter, the army moves through the mountain pass of St. Gotthard. The canvas was purchased by Emperor Nicholas II.
6. Tsarevna
The artist knew that the fate of the royal daughters might in fact not be as rosy as an ordinary person imagined it.
From childhood, princesses were brought up in severity, were not allowed to go beyond the palace chambers, and rarely taught literacy. Most of the time the royal daughters gave prayers and embroidery, growing up, often went to the monastery.
Portrait "Princess" Surikov wrote in 1911, researchers believe that he wrote it with a 12-year-old girl.
The picture depicts a young girl, despite the rich clothes and jewelry, her face has a mournful expression, her eyes are moistened, her lips are compressed, as if the girl struggles to hold back tears. Throughout the image there is sadness and seriousness, which are rarely characteristic of children of her age.
5. Stepan Razin
Work on the picture "Stepan Razin" started in 1900.
Interesting fact: The idea of creating this canvas originated with the artist in 1887.
The plot for his canvas, the painter took from an old legend telling about Stepan Razin and the Persian princess.
A boat with Cossacks and their leader floats along the Volga River, he is gloomy, his face is gloomy.
There is no image of the princess in the picture, although she was present on the initial sketch, as the researchers of the artist’s creativity say.
It is believed that the princess was written from the painter’s wife, but she soon died, so the original plot of the canvas was rewritten.
The very mournful expression of Stepan Razin is very similar to the photographs of Surikov of those years. Some researchers suggest that the painting "Stepan Razin" has become an emotional self-portrait of the artist.
4. The conquest of Siberia by Ermak
Picture “The Conquest of Siberia by Ermak” It was finished in 1895. It depicts the battle of Yermak’s troops in 1579 with Khan Kuchum, in the place where two mighty rivers merged.
In order for the characters of the canvas to be more believable, Surikov for some time lived in Siberia, where he studied the life and customs of local residents.
3. Visit to the princess of the convent
Picture “Visit of the princess of the convent” It was written from 1908 to 1912. Subjects for its creation arose in the artist’s head after reading the book “The Household Life of Russian Tsars in the 16th-17th Centuries”.
Russian princesses were brought up strictly, in towers, under the supervision of a nanny and other female servants.
They could only marry a bridegroom from the royal family, ordinary people or foreign nobles were not suitable for the role of the husband of the Russian princess, so many of them went to monasteries.
On his canvas, the painter depicted a young princess visiting a monastery, of which she would soon become a novice. She is closely watched by the abbess and nuns, most of whom were also girls of a noble family, but failed to get married and went to the walls of the monastery.
2. Boyar Morozova
This famous painting can be called one of the most dramatic works of the painter. "Boyar Morozova" created several years, was sold in 1887.
According to historical facts, the noblewoman Theodosius Morozov was faithful to the Old Believers, which did not like Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. For this, she was repeatedly subjected to various punishments, but she did not leave her faith.
Surikov’s biography aroused interest in Surikov, so he painted a picture in which the noblewoman is depicted on sledges sliding along the road, a crowd gathered around her, most of whom sympathize with Morozova. The arm of the noblewoman, high raised up, symbolizes farewell to old Russia.
1. The morning of the execution
The most famous painting in the world "Morning of the Archery Execution" was written in 1881. The plot was the reprisal against the archers after the unsuccessful rebellion that took place in 1698.
The pretext for the rebellion was the words of Princess Sophia about the replacement of Tsar Peter I. More than 2000 archers went to Moscow to raise the princess to the throne. But the king and his army quickly dealt with the rebels, many of whom were subsequently executed.