Painting “The Generation of Siberia Ermakom”, Surikov, 1895 
- Posted by Vasily Ivanovich Surikov
- Museum: Russian Museum
- Year: 1895
Overview of the painting :
The conquest of Siberia Ermakom – Vasily Ivanovich Surikov. 1895. Oil on canvas. 285×599
The conquest of Siberia is one of the glorious and great pages of the history of the Fatherland. The key role in this was played by the talented commander, brave and courageous man Ermak Timofeevich. For his monumental work, the artist chose a battery genre to more fully and more clearly talk about the identity of the conqueror, as well as about the magnitude of the feat of the Russian Cossacks.
Before the audience appears the battle of the Cossack army with the countless army of the Siberian Khan Kuchum.
According to all the canons of the chosen genre, the outcome of the battle to the viewer is obvious, despite the fact that the battle is just beginning. The Cossacks, under the Christian banners with the face of the Unmanned Savior, led by Ermak, placed by the author on the fore, look more powerful than the Siberian army. The prostate side is a human mass, from which only a few individuals can be distinguished. Confidence and courage on the part of the Cossacks, confusion and fear on the part of the Siberians. Calm, confident depicted Ermak. A classic general-willed gesture – an outstretched hand directing the army – canonical reception of classical painting.
The artist in this work did without bright colors. The main colors of the work are gray and brown. Only in the very center, one Cossack is wearing a bright red caftan that attracts the attention of the viewer. Red clothes in battle are needed in order not to see blood on their body, not to lose the presence of spirit. On the other hand, this is a sign that the warrior is ready to fight to the last drop of blood. The ax behind the Cossack belt in the foreground also testifies to this. The gunpowder will end – the saber will go into play, the saber will break – the ax, the usual weapon of a man will come in handy.
Powder smoke fills the air, the viewer seems to hear the sounds of shots, a whistle of Siberian arrows. In the background, the battle grew into a hand-to-hand combat. In the center of the Cossack army, someone raised an icon over his head, calling the Savior as assistants.
In the distance you can see the fortress of Khan Kuchum. Another attack and the fortress will fall.
The anticipation of victory is clearly felt in the whole atmosphere of the canvas of the great master.