The Tretyakov Gallery is a famous art museum in Moscow, created by the efforts of one person, the merchant Pavel Tretyakov. He sincerely believed in the future of Russian art. In 1856, he bought the first painting, it was the “Temptation” of Schilder. After 11 years, the art gallery was open to visitors.
Now in Russia there is no such person who would not hear about the Tretyakov Gallery. Everyone should be there at least once in a lifetime. The museum exposition is striking in its diversity. Over 180 thousand items: paintings, sculptures, jewelry, made in different time periods.
Below is the rating the most famous paintings of the Tretyakov Gallery. If you decide to visit it, but are far from art, and do not know what to pay attention to, our article will help you.
List
- 10. “The Rooks Have Arrived”, A. K. Savrasov
- 9. “Rainbow”, I. Aivazovsky
- 8. “The Apotheosis of War”, V. V. Vereshchagin
- 7. “Princess Tarakanova”, K. D. Flavitsky
- 6. “The Appearance of the Messiah”, A. A. Ivanov
- 5. “Ivan the Terrible kills his son”, I. E. Repin
- 4. “Unequal marriage”, V. Pukirev
- 3. “Boyar Morozov”, V. I. Surikov
- 2. The Unknown, I. N. Kramskoy
- 1. “The Heroes”, V. M. Vasnetsov
10. Savrasov
Consider this picture Savrasov's most famous work. In 1871, the artist visited the village of Molvitino. Alexey Kondratievich was very fond of spring. He was inspired by nature and a small church (although it was no different from thousands of others).
Savrasov immediately set to work. In the summer of the same year, the painting was ready and sold to Tretyakov.
She was very fond of the Russian people because of its simplicity, understandable for every person, there are no images and symbols. One name can give a person a sense of spring. At first glance, the landscape is not original. Gray spring day, rooks clung to rooks. In the foreground is dirty snow, in the background is a church and a field.
The artist managed to convey the atmosphere of spring, create a sense of life. The success of this painting could not be repeated by any artist, not even Savrasov himself.
9. Aivazovsky
The painting was painted in 1873, at the same time Tretyakov acquired it for his gallery.
“Rainbow” stands out from the rest of Aivazovsky’s paintings, the artist painted it in an atypical manner.
It depicts a stormy sea, a ship and people who are trying to fight the elements. They hope that they will survive. The rainbow gives them hope for a favorable outcome, for salvation. This is a symbol of victory. That is why the picture attracts the attention of a large number of people.
If you do not look closely at it, it may seem that an ordinary shipwreck is depicted here. Yes, she is tragic, but has a positive message. The artist seemed to say: "There is nothing impossible."
8. Vereshchagin
The artist created this work of art in 1871.
The picture looks quite unusual, you can say intimidatingly. It presents a scorched desert, where there is nothing alive. In the foreground is a pyramid of human skulls, in the background is a ruined city.
Ravens circling the mountain of skulls, they are alive, but this is a symbol of death. Vereshchagin originally wanted to depict the consequences of the war in Turkestan. The artist was struck by the cruelty of those military operations.
Soon his plan changed. This canvas shows the consequences of all the wars in the world. Wherever the battles take place, whatever the causes of the war, the outcome is always the same - meaningless death.
7. Flavitsky
The painting was painted in 1864, Tretyakov bought it for his gallery after the artist’s death.
The plot of the work was the legend of the death of a young woman. Princess Tarakanova is an impostor, an adventurer who posed as the heiress of the Russian throne (daughter of Elizabeth Petrovna).
The picture shows a girl standing on a bed in a prison cell. The room is filled with water. At her feet are rats that crawl onto the bed. They hope for salvation, and Princess Tarakanova understands that no one will help her.
The girl closed her eyes and raised her face to the sky. The picture is based on contrasts, thanks to small details he managed to convey the tragedy of the event. The royal family was very unhappy with the work of Flavitsky.
Interesting fact. In fact, Princess Tarakanova died of tuberculosis, and not in 1777, but in 1775. Her death was shrouded in mystery, so rumors soon began to circulate.
Flavitsky decided to paint a picture based on a famous legend. Thanks to the artist, people began to think that the princess really died from the flood.
6. Ivanov
This picture has an amazing story. Alexander Andreevich began his work on it in 1837. He had a dream - to depict the appearance of Christ to the people on a large canvas. It took 20 years to implement this plan, but Ivanov did not have time to complete what was started. He passed away.
The plot is based on the first chapter of the Gospel of John. The artist wrote more than 600 sketches from nature. Pavel Tretyakov bought these sketches for his gallery.
The original was purchased by Emperor Alexander II. He presented the “Appearance of Messi” to the Rumyantsev Museum. In 1925, the museum was disbanded, the painting was given to the Tretyakov Gallery. A special room was even built for her.
5. Repin
The first picture to be censored. Emperor Alexander III did not appreciate the artist’s plan and forbade showing the picture at exhibitions.
Repin created this work of art in 1885, it depicts an episode from the life of the great king. Ivan the Terrible hit his son, the blow was fatal.
The most important thing here is emotions. Ivan the Terrible is very remorseful, now he is not the king, but his father, distraught with grief. The Tsarevich forgives his murderer, his face is calm and meek. Three months later, the ban on showing was lifted.
Interesting fact. The picture has a very difficult fate. Acts of vandalism were repeatedly committed over her. For the first time in 1913, a visitor to the gallery struck several times with a knife. Then Repin had to re-draw the head of Ivan the Terrible.
In 2018, an attack occurred again. The man grabbed a metal stand and inflicted several blows on the picture. It is still being restored.
4. Pukirev
For this work of art, the artist was awarded the title of professor. He wrote it in 1863, in 1871 Tretyakov bought it.
The name of the picture speaks for itself. A young girl-dweller and an elderly official are married.
There are several versions of the origin of the idea of the picture. According to one version, this is a personal drama of the artist, according to another - his close friend.
This picture attracts attention because there are personal experiences, suffering. If you do not pay attention to details, the picture is perceived simply as a beautiful canvas.
This is a real masterpiece, Pukirev was no longer able to create something like that, he was even called the artist of one painting.
3. Surikov
A work of art was created in 1887, and soon Tretyakov acquired it for his collection.
The basis of the picture is the events taking place in the 17th century (the split of the church). Morozova Theodosius - a supporter of the old faith. In 1671 she was arrested, and in 1673 she died in prison.
The picture depicts a scene when the noblewoman is taken to the place of detention. But Morozova is fearless, she believes so much that ready to die for your beliefs.
The picture received a wide variety of ratings. Now she is considered one of the outstanding paintings of the Tretyakov Gallery.
2. Kramskoy
It was written in 1883. The picture shows a young woman. She rides a carriage along Nevsky Prospect, in the distance you can see the building of the Alexandrinsky Theater. The woman is dressed in fashion, she is very attractive.
It is impossible to look away from her eyes. Amazing expression: superiority, mystery, sadness.
It is still unknown who became the prototype of the Kramskoy painting. Art historians put forward different versions, but not one of them has conclusive evidence.
1. Vasnetsov
In 1898, Tretyakov bought the famous painting from Vasnetsov. The artist worked on it for about two decades. This is an image of three heroes, the legendary Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich and Dobrynia Nikitich.
The picture symbolizes the spirit of the Russian people. Each hero is endowed with certain qualities that are so characteristic of Russian people. Ilya Muromets is calm and confident in himself, this is strength and power. Dobrynya Nikitich is representative and stately, he is smart and has deep knowledge. Alyosha Popovich is brave, but young and cheerful.
There are many details, special attention should be paid to them, each of them has its own meaning.