Visit to the Princess Convent, Surikov, 1912 
- Posted by Vasily Ivanovich Surikov
- Museum: Tretyakov Gallery
- Year: 1912
Overview of the painting :
Visit to the princess convent. 1912. Oil on canvas. 144×202
The fate of the Russian kings is tragic. They have no equal among the suitors either in Russia or in Europe. Directly to them in the monastery, with all their rich dowry. Tsarist daughters were accustomed to this thought from childhood. The author presents to the viewer a scene of a visit to the princess of the monastery prepared for her.
Heavy gold sparkles the salaries of the monastery images. Monastery villages surrounded the princess. Someone bowed in a humble bow, someone with undisguised curiosity looks at the royal daughter. Surov’s nanny barynka behind the queen. She carefully monitors the strict observance of all the little things of the ceremony. Among the nuns, the abbess is easily guessed. Mother Superior is outwardly calm and indifferent, however, strong internal excitement can be seen in her. The head of the monastery is looking forward to rich revenues to the treasury of the institution given to the princess.
Against the general background, the figure of the main character stands out sharply. A young girl, almost a child, a pale, royal appearance cannot hide from the viewer humility to her fate. There are no emotions on the face of the princess, she is focused on prayer. What the heroine of the Lord asks for? Nobody will ever know this. Those around do little to the feelings of a noble guest. Very soon, she will become the usual inhabitant of the monastery. And those who bow to her in a pre-bumped bow will soon lose all interest in her.
Burning lamps under images and candles create an atmosphere of a funeral rite. Very soon, the princess will die for the world of people, devoting herself to lifelong prayer and monastery work.