Overview of the painting “Bogatyri. (Three heroes) ”Vassnetsov, 1898 
- Author: Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov
- Museum: Tretyakov Gallery
- Year: 1898
-
Overview of the painting :
The heroes. (Three heroes) – Victor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. 1898. Oil on canvas. 295.3×446
The painting by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov “Bogatyri” is rightfully considered a real folk masterpiece and a symbol of domestic art. A picture was created in the second half of the 19th century, when the theme of folk culture, Russian folklore was very popular among Russian artists. For many artists, this hobby turned out to be short-lived, but Vasnetsov’s folk folklore theme became the basis of all creativity.
The painting “Bogatyri” depicts three Russian heroes: Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich – famous heroes of folk vows.
The gigantic figures of the heroes and their horses, located in the foreground of the picture, symbolize the strength and power of the Russian people. The impressive size of the picture also contributes to this impression – 295×446 cm.
The artist worked on the creation of this picture for almost 30 years. In 1871, the first sketch of the plot in the pencil was created, and since then the artist has become interested in the idea of creating this picture. In 1876, a famous sketch was made with the already found basis of a composite solution. Work on the picture itself lasted from 1881 to 1898. The finished picture was bought by P.Tretyakov, and so far she decorates the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
In the center of the picture is Ilya Muromets, a folk favorite, a Russian hero. Not everyone knows that Ilya Muromets is not a fairy character, but a real historical person. The history of his life and feats is real events. Subsequently, having completed his work on the protection of his homeland, he became a monk of the Kiev Pechersky Monastery. He was counted as a saint. Vasnetsov knew these facts, creating the image of Ilya Muromets. “The master is the man Ilya Muromets,” he said. And in the picture of Vasnetsov we see a mighty warrior and at the same time an unbiased open person. It combines gigantic power and generosity. “A horse under Elijah is a fierce beast” – continues to say. The powerful figure of the horse depicted in a picture with a massive metal chain instead of a team indicates this.
The kindness of Nikitich according to popular traditions was a very educated and courageous person. Many miracles are associated with his personality, for example, conspiratorial armor on his shoulders, a magic sword-fool. Kindness is depicted as in the epauties – majestic, with subtle, noble features of the face, emphasizing its culture, education, decisively taking out the sword from the sheath with readiness to rush into battle, defending his homeland.
Alyosha Popovich is young and slim compared to his comrades. It is depicted with onions and arrows in his hands, but geese attached to the saddle indicate that he is not only a fearless warrior, but also a guslyar, songbook, fun fellow. The picture has many details that characterize the images of its characters.
Stubborn, clothes, ammunition not fictitious. The artist saw such samples in museums and read their descriptions in historical literature. The artist masterfully transfers the state of nature, as if portending the onset of danger. But the heroes are a reliable and powerful force of the defenders of their native land.