Bogatyrs celebrate a solid anniversary. 140 years ago Viktor Vasnetsov made the first pencil sketch of three epic heroes - Dobrynya Nikitich, Ilya Muromets and Alyosha Popovich. Titanic work on the canvas took almost 20 years.
Three heroes of Vasnetsov: Dobrynya Nikitich, Ilya Muromets and Alyosha Popovich. Powerful, strong, unshakable. They are not afraid of either snowstorms, or hurricanes, or centuries.
“Vasnetsov was just recalling that he saw three oaks in Abramtsevo. He saw them from the window of his workshop and they helped him create an image of a heroic, that is, a heroic spirit,” says Elena Mitrofanova, deputy director of the State Historical, Artistic and Literary Museum-reserve "Abramtsevo"
From a pencil sketch of heroes to the start of work on a huge canvas - 10 years of reflection. Vasnetsov studied folk tales, thought over the details and, most importantly, looked after the sitters for the heroes.
Here, until now, everything is through one with the surname Rakhmanovsky. Once the landowner lost their ancestor at cards, so the whole family of the Polish stove-maker moved to a new master in the Moscow region. The Rakhmanovskys were almost all unusually tall, broad-shouldered and stately. Vasnetsov wrote sketches from them.
True, in the end, as a model for Ilya Muromets, the artist nevertheless chose a peasant from a neighboring village - a Russian peasant named Petrov. In another heroic image, the author himself is guessed - Vasnetsov drew Dobrynya Nikitich from himself. But the choice of a sitter for Alyosha Popovich is still called the most mysterious.
“Why he became a model is difficult to say. After all, he began to paint it as a boy, and on the canvas a young man, and not just a young man, but a hero of Russian nature,” says Svetlana Volkova, a leading researcher at the Abramtsevo State Historical, Artistic and Literary Museum-Reserve ".
The son of the entrepreneur Savva Mamontov, the novice artist Andrei, was only 13 years old when Vasnetsov began to paint Alyosha Popovich from him. After 8 years, in the midst of work on the painting, the young man caught a cold in Kyiv when he painted the Vladimir Cathedral, and died upon arrival home. Victor Mikhailovich finished it from memory.
Vasnetsov chose a landscape worthy of his heroes for a long time. Until one day, walking around the estate of a friend, he came to a wide field, almost protected from all sides by a dense, impenetrable forest. Why not a symbol of the beauty and grandeur of the Russian land!
Vasnetsov literally settled on the field - a workshop was built for him here, sitters came here and horses were brought here.
The most expensive, so-called improved, Russian horse with an admixture of oriental blood - for Dobrynya Nikitich, a princely warrior. For the Rostovite Alyosha Popovich - a steppe horse, and for the peasant Ilya Muromets - a Russian heavy truck.
“Under the riders, the horses stand rooted to the spot, because every day they participate in transitions, hostilities, and men sit on them and, as they say, you won’t spoil them,” says the trainer-teacher of the Moscow Agricultural Academy. K.A. Timiryazeva Tatiana Demina.
Epic heroes had to look as realistic as possible. The artist spent hours wandering around the historical museum, studying weapons and armor. But the 10th, 12th and 13th centuries, to which the heroes belong, were still little studied in the 19th century.
“Their weapons, of course, should have been different: they should have had chain mail, they should have had helmets in the shape of an elongated cap,” says a leading researcher at the Department of Archeology of the State historical museum Natalia Astashova.
According to experts, Vasnetsov’s ancient Russian heroes are armed more like medieval warriors. But this is the greatness of the picture. The defenders of the Russian land seemed to have passed through time and stopped. On the eternal guard of native borders.
The history of the creation of the painting by V.M. Vasnetsov "Heroes"Abovepainting "Bogatyrs" V.M. Vasnetsov worked for more than twenty years, from a pencil sketch in 1871 until the moment when, in 1898, he finally signed his work. The first small pencil sketch of the "Bogatyrs" (only 19 by 26 cm in size) already contains all the main compositional features of the picture: the number and ratio of the horsemen's figures, their turns, movements, and even partially gestures. In the center is placed a massive figure on a heavy massive horse. And although the beginning of work on the painting "Bogatyrs" is considered to be 1881 (Abramtsevo), all the main features of the composition had already been created earlier.
The topic of the heroic outpost interested Vasnetsov already in the first years of his artistic activity, she did not leave him then for the whole debt creative way. Taking advantage literary sources, Vasnetsov did not literally follow any of the variants of epics about the main heroes, but selected everything that gave a generalized idea of them as carriers of popular ideals, defenders of the state. The artist also did not follow any of the numerous versions of the epic about the heroic outpost, but only selected and generalized everything related to the three favorite heroes of the heroic epic.
Some epics speak of outposts consisting of many heroes, for example, in the epic "The Battle of Ilya Muromets with his son", placed in the "Album of Russian Folk Tales and Epics" (1875). (Vasnetsov participated in this album as an illustrator - he gave drawings on the theme of the Firebird.) An equally numerous and equally significant heroic outpost was sung in one of the versions of the epic "Ilya and Sokolnik". The twelve heroes are also told about in the epic "Ilya Muromets and him", attributed to the later versions of the epics of the Moscow period. In another epic, also late in origin, "Ilya Muromets and Kalin Tsar", in the outpost, which consisted of twelve heroes, stood: Ilya, Alyosha, Dobrynya and Yermak.
Among all these heroes, the storytellers singled out Ilya, Dobrynya and Alyosha as the most dear and beloved. This is the personification of the outstanding qualities of the Russian people, spiritual and physical. Folk art in everything he exalts his heroes, and therefore, in their usual, everyday form, of course, they could not be presented. And in the picture of Vasnetsov, the heroes are depicted in rich armor, on festively dressed horses. Narrators of epics dressed their favorites in this way.
Vasnetsov consciously singled out the main thing in the heroes, namely, devotion to the motherland, readiness to serve her, protect her, giving all her strength and life. The artist in the album of 1900, where his "Heroes" were reproduced in phototype, placed the following quote from the epic text:
For Vasnetsov, not only the narrative and pictorial side of the story was important, but also its leading idea, which united the heroes and explained why they met at the heroic outpost. The ideological basis of the concept of the composition "Three Heroes" was revealed by the artist in a letter to P.P. Chistyakov in 1882, when the painting was started on a large canvas in Abramtsevo: Is there a enemy somewhere, are they offending anyone?
“Do they offend anyone” - this is the humanistic basis of the plan, for the sake of which Vasnetsov so persistently sought to complete his work and did not leave it, despite all the difficulties that stood in his way. On April 23, 1898, in Moscow, the painting was signed and soon acquired by P.M. Tretyakov for the gallery.
(according to the book: N. Morgunov, N. Morgunova-Rudnitskaya. Russian artists. Vasnetsov. - M .: Art, 1962)
The most famous treasure of world art, a folk masterpiece kept in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, is the painting by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov "Three Heroes". Artist on canvas depicted three epic heroes of Russia whose names are known to every Russian. Work on the creation of the picture lasted almost 30 years and was completed in 1898. It was acquired by the collector and philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov.
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Description of the stages of work
The famous Russian artist V.M. Vasnetsov painted a huge number of paintings on folklore subjects, where the plot is based on folk tales , legends, legends.
At any mention of his name, Ivan Tsarevich astride gray wolf, tenderly hugging Elena the Beautiful, Alyonushka yearning by the pond, strict and majestic Ilya Muromets.
The return to the list of control materials of such a form as an essay creates a need for schoolchildren to acquire the skills of writing it.
Analysis of the painting Three Bogatyrs Vasnetsov
Painting Three heroes
Completion
The composition of the picture can be supplemented with an important idea that the artist Vasnetsov embodied on it the dream of the Russian people about wise and just rulers, as well as brave and strong defenders. These are Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich. The territory inhabited by the Russians attracted the attention of the barbarian tribes who carried out periodic raids for the purpose of robbery. But any enemy attacks were successfully repulsed by the princely squads, the devastated villages were restored again, Russia rose from the ashes.
Viktor Vasnetsov is one of the most famous artists pre-revolutionary Russia. His fabulous, fantastic stories are known to almost every schoolchild. Vasnetsov's painting "Three Heroes" is the largest in size, and in value, in the artist's career. It embodied the power, pride, strength, to become the Russian people. Remain indifferent while looking at this work, almost impossible.
But before analyzing the main images, it should be noted that very often the picture is called incorrectly. The real name is "Heroes", and not "Three heroes", as many believe. Although now art historians do not particularly insist on this.
Painting idea
The idea of the picture came to the artist much earlier than it was painted. For thirty years the first sketch, still a very crude drawing, was created during Vasnetsov's stay in Paris. As the painter himself said, although the work dragged on for a very long time, all the same, his hands literally reached for it. To write "Bogatyrs" was his creative duty, a duty to every Russian person.
Already in Russia, within the walls of his beloved workshop, Vasnetsov calmly and painstakingly completed a masterpiece. Vasnetsov's painting "Three Heroes" was released at the very end of the nineteenth century. Immediately after Viktor Mikhailovich finished writing it, it was acquired by Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov for the collection of the world famous gallery. Vasnetsov’s painting “Three Heroes” is very interesting, and also well remembered by the viewer, the photo is located above.
Critical Notes
Reading critical articles those before whom Vasnetsov's painting "Three Heroes" appeared for the first time, you can see that the reviews about it are only positive. Colour, design, perspective and realism - everything in this work causes only admiration. Critic V. Stasov wrote that no other canvas is so imbued with patriotism and the spirit of Russia.
Painting "Three heroes", Vasnetsov. Description
This is a real ode to heroism and love for one's Fatherland. The main characters of the picture have an unusual appearance. Before the audience appear the ancient knights, the same epic heroes, whose exploits were once legendary: Alyosha Popovich, Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich. So, for a very long time, the painting “Three Heroes” was preparing to be published. Vasnetsov did not leave his own, theoretical description. But on the other hand, there are a lot of art criticism analyzes for this masterpiece.
Ilya Muromets
In the central part of the picture, the Murom hero Ilya himself is riding a black horse. This image exudes confidence, power and strength. He is strikingly different from the other two heroes in his sophistication and calmness. He is like a mighty oak, which even a storm does not care.
With one hand he shields himself from the sun, looking out for the enemy, a heavy club hangs on his forearm, while with the other he holds a spear. And although Ilya Muromets is depicted in chain mail, with military weapons, there is still nothing dangerous and frightening in this image no.
Alyosha Popovich
To the right is the youngest hero - Alyosha Popovich. His boldness seems a bit feigned. He does not have as much strength as his comrades. But how beautiful and magnificent this warrior is. He, too, is not afraid of the battle, and if he has to meet the enemy, he will definitely not let you down. There is a red horse under his saddle, a harp is tied to the saddle, probably Alyosha Popovich entertains the heroes during a difficult and long campaign. His weapons are light - a bow and a quiver with arrows.
Nikitich
Well, the third, already on a white horse, Dobrynya Nikitich appears before the viewer. It differs from two other images, embodying the knowledge and culture of the Russian people. He is as strong as Ilya Muromets, but this power is hidden in him. From him emanates caution and thoughtfulness of actions.
That's why the painting "Three Heroes" by Vasnetsov is good, that you see the heroes at the same time all together. Their images merge into a single spirit - the spirit of the Russian people. The angle from which the artist started is obvious: the viewer, as it were, looks at the heroes a little from below, from the ground, which is why the picture looks so pompous and solemn.
Background
The detailing of the picture is also interesting. The fact is that absolutely everything that appears before your eyes when you look at this masterpiece is symbolic. It is no coincidence that the Russian field and forest were chosen as the background; this spiritual landscape seems to have absorbed the mood of the canvas. Dark clouds swirl over the field, the wind develops the manes of horses and yellowed grass. A scary bird flies away towards the forest from the scene. All nature seemed to freeze in anticipation of the enemy. The same can be felt in the images of the main characters. The gray tombstones that are located on this field are even more pushing for the idea of the upcoming battle - once there were already battles here.
But only now it does not become scary from this gloomy place, because three brave heroes, three heroes stand on the defense of the Russian borders.
It is interesting that usually in Russia the word "hero" was invested not only with the well-known meaning - a protector, but also called a pious, charitable person. These are the heroes of Vasnetsov.
Vasnetsov's painting "Three Heroes" is now in the Moscow Tretyakov Gallery, next to it you can always see excursion groups that linger for a long time to better see the world-famous masterpiece. The canvas by V. Vasnetsov is truly one of the most remarkable creations of Russian artists.
Who among us has not heard of the most glorious epic heroes: Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich. Which of the boys did not dream of being like them? And there is definitely no one who has not seen the painting by the artist Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov “Three Heroes” - its reproduction was not only published in several school textbooks.
So who are they, epic heroes?
In life, Ilya not only fought gloriously, but also monastic, and even canonized by the Church as a saint, which testifies to the outstanding contribution of the hero in the formation and strengthening of the Orthodox faith. The imperishable relics of St. Ilya of Muromets are kept in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, parts of the relics were transferred at various times to various Orthodox churches in Russia and Ukraine. Repeatedly the relics of St. Ilya Muromets were examined by medical commissions, the last one was organized by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in 1988. Scientists equipped with advanced equipment of that time found that Ilya, as the epic tells, was bedridden until about thirty years old, the reason for this was a disease of the spine. By the way, it is for the recovery of those suffering from paralysis that one should pray to the Monk Ilya Muromets. The same study established for certain the cause of Ilya's death - he died from a spear in the heart - the spear also pierced left hand hero. The very fact of such a death was assumed as early as the nineteenth century, but a study in the 1960s cast doubt on this version: as if the monks pierced the corpse with a spear after the death of the hero.
It was a big developed bones and human musculature. Ilya was 182 centimeters tall, despite the fact that the average height of adults of that time was no more than 160 centimeters. For the people of that time, Ilya Muromets looked approximately the same as for us the famous strongmen Vasily Virastyuk or Alexei Koklyaev, and these guys could move a loaded truck or an average plane.
It is known that he was the brother of Malusha, the mother of Prince Vladimir the Great, the Baptist of Russia.
During his life, Dobrynya changed many “professions”: he was also a “yard” boy in the tower of Princess Olga, where he often had to do the most menial work; was a Gridniy - an elite warrior of the princely squad of Svyatoslav; "nanny", educator and teacher of his young nephew, Prince Vladimir, and when he became a prince, he was his regent and first adviser; in a tough and often bloody political struggle of that time, he headed the "Slavic" party, which opposed the "Varangian" party, headed by the governor Sveneld.
The birthplace of Dobrynia is considered the capital of the Drevlyans - the city of Iskorosten (now Korosten, Zhytomyr region). After the burning of the city by the army of Princess Olga, the captive 10-year-old Dobrynya was brought to the tower of the Kyiv princess, where he and his sister lived as palace servants. The prince experienced many humiliations from low people, with whom he suddenly found himself in the same position.
The princely carpenter made a wooden sword for the boy, and in the evenings, and even at night, Dobrynya practiced martial arts on the banks of the Dnieper.
When Dobrynya grew up, Kyiv's policy towards the outskirts of Russia became softer, the attitude towards Dobrynya and his sister also changed, the future hero was appointed to the princely squad. The newcomer decided to test the centurion of the Varangian mercenaries - an experienced and skilled warrior. Imagine the surprise of the combatants when Dobrynya knocked the sword out of the hands of the Varangian by his own technique!
After the birth of Vladimir, Dobrynya was assigned to him as a tutor. The experienced warrior had to master pedagogical wisdom. The role of Dobrynya in the fate of Volodymyr the Great does not end there. It was he who persuaded the ambassadors from Novgorod to ask Prince Vladimir for himself, it was he, in fact, who was regent under him in Novgorod itself, quickly gaining authority among the townspeople. The active Dobrynya rallied the opponents of the Varangian domination from all the lands of Russia. The "Slavic" party soon managed, often in battles, to win the championship in the important lands of Russia: Novgorod, Drevlyansk, Pskov, it was on it that Vladimir relied, having obtained the prince's table in Kyiv.
Dobrynya played a significant role in the christening of Russia by Vladimir the Great. He not only took part in the decision to accept Christianity from Byzantium, but also actively converted "fellow citizens" to the new faith.
Dobrynya was married to a female warrior named Nastasya. It is interesting that the future wife once defeated Dobrynya in a kind of "sparring", as Dobrynya himself once defeated the Varangian centurion.
It is known that he was one of the best, and perhaps the best Russian knight of his time. Alyosha won not so much by force as by skill and ingenuity. He enjoyed prestige among the army. He served in the squads of the princes of Rostov and Kyiv. He lived at the beginning of the tragic 13th century in the history of Russia. Born in Rostov. Heroically died in 1223 in a battle on the Kalka River.
