Contents
Vasily Vereshchagin is a 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 was looking for an exclusively individual style.
He lived as if 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 he allowed himself statements and actions that went against the generally accepted attitudes.
His contribution to the world art of painting is invaluable, therefore, to this day, his legendary canvases attract tens of thousands of spectators who want to join the talent of the famous master.
We present the top 10 most famous paintings by Vereshchagin with photographs and titles of works.
10 Boat ride
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 impressions of the trip were reflected only in a few paintings by Vereshchagin, one of which is “Boat ride“.
The artist’s paintings on the Japanese theme are characterized by a certain imbalance in the composition, which draws attention to 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 market
In 1869-1870, Vereshchagin again visited Turkestan. There, adventures full of dangers and amazing discoveries awaited him, as a result of which he wrote a large series of drawings and studies from nature, which he later used to create the Turkestan series of canvases.
In the final version, the Turkestan series contained 13 paintings, 81 studies and 133 drawings, among which was the painting “Mullah Rahim and Mullah Kerim quarrel on the way to the market“. In this form, it was exhibited in London in 1873.
These works are distinguished by a variety of themes of canvases, which covered different aspects of everyday life, the specifics of social relations and customs of the peoples of Asia.
Types of Central Asian nature closely intersect with an ethnographically accurate display of bright folk types and the originality of local customs.
8. mortally wounded
The yellow crenellated wall against the bright blue sky is the only detail in the painting that indicates the location of the unfolding events. The soldier instinctively pressed his hands to his chest, hoping to stop the blood flowing from mortal wound.
The simple Russian face of the soldier became so dark under the scorching sun of the east that if he returned alive and healthy to his native village, he would most likely be mistaken for a Basurman.
7. In the Turkish mortuary
On the painting “In the Turkish mortuary” shows the mortuary of the Turkish hospital located in Plevna during the Russian-Turkish campaign of 1877-1878.
Here, the dead soldiers lie with the wounded, which is why contemporaries dubbed the canvas – “Eight square meters of death“.
6. Rich 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 for a festive reception organized by the tsar.
A tall, strong, colorful representative of the nomadic intelligentsia, who knew Russian well, aroused great respect and interest from the artist.
In turn, Baitik Kanaev, who had never seen such paintings before, because drawing living beings is prohibited in Islam, was amazed by Vereshchagin’s talent.
Later, during the Turkestan campaigns, the famous painter and Kyrgyz batyr, who had a strong dislike for 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 the Russian soldier. These features are manifested not only in moments of valiant 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 did not lose their heads in the face of a deadly threat and rallied to fight the enemy to the last drop of blood.
4. Japanese
“Japanese” is probably one of the most lyrical works of the artist, which reveals a lesser known side of his talent. In this work, Vereshchagin’s love for ethnography, the peculiarities of everyday life, 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 … The picture was painted during the artist’s visit to Japan.
From the point of view of building a composition, the canvas is well thought out – even the frame for the picture was chosen specially and, most likely, by the individual order of Vereshchagin himself. It depicts a classic oriental ornament.
3. Mausoleum Taj Mahal near Agra
Picture “Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal 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, and the color scheme of the entire composition.
Delightful architecture, as if in a mirror, is reflected in the surface of the reservoir. Probably, a whole arsenal of artistic means and techniques have found their virtuoso use here.
The Taj Mahal owes its fame not only to its unique architecture, which surprisingly combines grandeur and elegance, 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 was 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 wartime, the city, where the enemy army enters, must bow before the conqueror. P
After entering Moscow, Napoleon first of all 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. Apotheosis of war
The legendary paintingApotheosis of war” is considered the most famous work of Vereshchagin. This is one of the merciless and expressive artistic denunciations of the 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 is dedicated to all those who support or are directly involved in inciting wars and conflicts. After all, it was not for nothing that Vereshchagin himself left an inscription on the frame stating that the canvas is dedicated to the conquerors of the past, present and future.
According to popular legend, Timur’s troops were left behind a terrifying array of dead bodies and skulls stacked in a pyramid. Even in the days when the artist lived, this terrible tradition persisted – the eastern commanders perceived the severed fragments of the body of the enemies they killed as war trophies.
Vereshchagin took this tradition as a kind of 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.