“Bogatyrs”: description of the painting. Three heroes of Vasnetsov - heroes of the epic epic

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 importance, in the artist’s career. It embodied the power, pride, strength, and growth of 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 “Bogatyrs”, and not “Three Bogatyrs”, as many believe. Although now art critics do not particularly insist on this.

The idea of ​​the painting

The idea for the painting came to the artist much earlier than it was painted. For thirty years, the first sketch, a completely 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, his hands were still literally reaching out to it. It was his creative duty to write “Bogatyrs”, a duty to every Russian person.

Already in Russia, within the walls of his favorite workshop, Vasnetsov calmly and painstakingly completed the 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 worldwide 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 to whom Vasnetsov’s painting “Three Heroes” appeared for the first time, you can notice that reviews about it are only positive character. Color, design, perspective and realism - everything in this work causes only admiration. Critic V. Stasov wrote that no other painting is so imbued with patriotism and the spirit of Rus'.

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. Ancient knights appear before the audience, those same epic heroes about whose exploits legends were once written: Alyosha Popovich, Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich. So, the film “Three Heroes” was preparing for release for a very long time. Vasnetsov did not leave his own, theoretical description. But there are quite a lot of art historical analyzes of this masterpiece.

Ilya Muromets

In the central part of the picture, the Murom hero Ilya himself sits on 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’s like a mighty oak tree that can’t even handle a storm.

With one hand he shields himself from the sun, looking out for the enemy, a heavy club hangs on his forearm, and with the other he holds a spear. And although Ilya Muromets is depicted in chain mail, with military weapons, there is still nothing dangerous or frightening in this image No.

Alesha Popovich

To the right is the youngest hero - Alyosha Popovich. His courage seems a little feigned. He doesn't have as much strength as his comrades. But how beautiful and magnificent this warrior is. He is also not afraid of the battle, and if he has to meet an enemy, he will definitely not let you down. Under his saddle there is a red horse, a harp is tied to the saddle, probably Alyosha Popovich is entertaining the heroes during a difficult and long campaign. His weapons are light - a bow and a quiver of arrows.

Nikitich

Well, the third, already on a white horse, appears before the viewer Dobrynya Nikitich. It differs from the other two images, embodying the knowledge and culture of the Russian people. He is as strong as Ilya Muromets, but this strength is hidden in him. He exudes prudence and thoughtfulness in his actions.

That’s why Vasnetsov’s “Three Bogatyrs” is so good, because you see the heroes all together at once. Their images merge into a single spirit - the spirit of the Russian people. The angle from which the artist started is obvious: the viewer seems to be looking 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 a Russian field and forest were chosen as the background; this inspired landscape seems to have absorbed the mood of the canvas. Dark clouds swirl over the field, the wind develops the horses' manes and yellowed grass. A scary bird flies further towards the forest from the scene of events. 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 push us even more to the idea of ​​the upcoming slaughter - battles once took place here.

But this gloomy place doesn’t make you scared, because there are three brave heroes, three heroes, defending the Russian borders.

It’s interesting that usually in Rus' the word “hero” was included not only for everyone known meaning- a protector, but this is also what they called a pious, godly person. Vasnetsov’s heroes can be called just such.

Vasnetsov’s painting “Three Heroes” is still in the Moscow Tretyakov Gallery, next to it you can always see excursion groups who linger for a long time to get a better look at the world famous masterpiece. The canvas by V. Vasnetsov is truly one of the most remarkable creations of Russian artists.

Valiant prowess has been valued in Rus' since ancient times. The heroes were famous for their strength and courage, their courage instilled faith that evil would be punished. Legends about their life were passed on from mouth to mouth, acquiring new details.

Over time, the line between fiction and truth has become blurred. Modern historians can only argue about the reality of the existence of these heroes and speculate about who became their prototype. One thing is clear: there is some truth in old fairy tales.

Ilya Muromets

Where was Ilya Muromets born?

It is known that until the age of 30 the hero could not walk. Scientists conducted a study of the relics of St. Elijah of Pechersk and discovered a curvature of the spine, which could cause paralysis. There are two versions of the cure in the legends. According to one of them, the hero was helped by passers-by, who could be healers; according to another, healing is associated with divine grace. The height of the epic hero was only 177 cm; for his time he was a very tall man.

The hero took part in many battles. Ilya Muromets had a nickname - Ilya “Chobotok” (boot). This is attributed to the fact that he was once attacked while he was putting on his shoes. The hero had to fight back with what was at hand, that is, boots.

At the end of his life, Ilya Muromets became a monk, but died defending the monastery, with a sword in his hands, at the age of 40 to 55 years. Scientists discovered many puncture wounds. The relics of St. Elijah of Muromets rest in the Caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, part of them ( middle finger left hand) was transferred to the Transfiguration Monastery in the city of Murom. Every day dozens of people come to churches to venerate the saint.

Land of heroes. Ilya Muromets

When was Ilya Muromets born?

Nikitich

Land of heroes. Nikitich

Where was Dobrynya Nikitich born?

Alesha Popovich

Plot

In the open field on combat duty, the main epic heroes-defenders: Dobrynya Nikitich, Ilya Muromets and Alyosha Popovich. They look around the surroundings to see if they can see an enemy or if there is some injustice going on. With this plot, Vasnetsov wanted, on the threshold of the twentieth century, to indicate the continuity of the heroic past of the Russian people with its great future. The heroes here are not specific epic characters, but an allegory of creative forces. Moreover, the field is not a specific place on the map, but the whole of Rus'.

First sketch of the painting, early 1870s

The heroes “lived” in different time and could only “meet” in Vasnetsov’s painting. When Ilya Muromets was the way the artist depicted him, Dobrynya should have been an old man, and Alyosha Popovich should have been a boy.

The heroes “lived” at different times and could only meet in the picture

Behind the heroes are the graves of soldiers who died in battle. In the foreground is young growth as a symbol of future generations. The heroes are located between the symbols of the past and the future as links in an endless chain of defenders of the Motherland.

Context

Vasnetsov made the first sketch of the painting in the early 1870s in Paris in the workshop of his friend Vasily Polenov. Viktor Mikhailovich wanted to give this trifle to a friend, to which the latter replied: “You will present it when you complete the picture.”

“The Knight at the Crossroads”, 1882

The implementation of the plan became for Vasnetsov, as he himself said, “a duty, an obligation to the people who raised [me], educated me, and armed me with skills.” “I worked on “Bogatyrs,” perhaps not always with the proper intensity, but they were always relentlessly in front of me, my heart was always drawn to them and my hand reached out to them!” - admitted the painter.

The huge canvas moved with the artist and his family from apartment to apartment; from Moscow to Kyiv and back; in the summer - out of town. Vasnetsov’s son Alexey recalled: “Bogatyrs” was for us... not a picture, but something necessary in life - a constant living environment, like walls, ceilings, lunch, tea...”

The face of Dobrynya is a collective type of the Vasnetsovs

Vasnetsov remade certain places several times. For a particularly long time he searched for the image of Dobrynya Nikitich. The basis was taken from a sketch made from one peasant, and the details were taken from portraits of relatives. As a result, Dobrynya’s face became a collective type of the Vasnetsovs.

The artist collected the face of Ilya Muromets feature by feature from commoners. And he posed for Alyosha Popovich younger son Savva Mamontov Andrey. By the way, the heroic horses also came from Mamontov’s stables - they were brought to the field to Vasnetsov, where he actually settled to paint a picture.

The fate of the artist

Vasnetsov was born into the family of a Vyatka priest and at first intended to follow in his father’s footsteps. But on last year Theological seminary left his studies and went to St. Petersburg to enter the Academy of Arts.

Vasnetsov near the painting “Bogatyrs”. Moscow, 1898

At first, Vasnetsov wrote on everyday subjects. Subsequently, he developed the so-called “Vasnetsov style” - epic-historical at its core with a strong patriotic and religious bias.

After 1917, Vasnetsov worked on folk fairy tale themes

Vasnetsov performed in all kinds: he was a historical painter, a religious painter, a portrait painter, a genre painter, a decorator, and a graphic artist. In addition, he was an architect - according to his designs, the church in Abramtsevo, the facade Tretyakov Gallery, Tsvetkovskaya Gallery and his own house with a workshop in Troitsky Lane.

The most famous treasure of world painting, a folk masterpiece kept in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, is considered to be the painting “Three Heroes” by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. Artist on canvas depicted three epic heroes Rus', whose names are known to every Russian. Work on creating the painting lasted almost 30 years and was completed in 1898. It was purchased by collector and philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov.

In contact with

Description of work stages

The famous Russian artist V.M. Vasnetsov wrote great amount paintings on folklore themes, where the plot is based on folk tales , legends, traditions.

At any mention of his name, Ivan Tsarevich immediately appears before his eyes riding on Gray Wolf, tenderly hugging Elena the Beautiful, Alyonushka yearning by the pond, the strict and majestic Ilya Muromets.

Return to the list control materials Such a form as an essay creates a need for schoolchildren to acquire skills in writing techniques.

Analysis of the painting Three Heroes by Vasnetsov

Painting Three heroes

Completion

An essay on the painting can be supplemented with the important idea that the artist Vasnetsov embodied in it the dream of the Russian people about wise and fair rulers, as well as brave and strong defenders. This is exactly what Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich are. The territory inhabited by Russians attracted for a long time attention of barbarian tribes who carried out periodic raids for the purpose of robbery. But any enemy attacks were quite successfully repelled by the princely squads, the devastated villages were restored again, Rus' rose from the ashes.

The Three Heroes are traditionally associated with fairy tales and legends. Few people know that the prototypes of these semi-mythical characters were very real, living people.

Ilya Muromets

Ilyusha is the eldest and most beloved of the three heroes. Glorious feats of arms and real miracles are associated with him. It’s amazing that after 30 years of sitting on the stove, this marvelous fellow, gifted with remarkable strength, turned into a legendary defender of the Fatherland.

The prototype of Ilya Muromets was Ilya Pechersky. Now the relics of this holy associate are kept in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. It also contains a document mentioning a hero nicknamed “Chobotok” (translated from Ukrainian as “Boot”). This is exactly what they began to call Muromets after he managed to kill a countless number of enemies with one of his boots. There were no other weapons at hand at that time.

Confirmation that the image of the glorious Russian hero was “copied” from Ilya Pechersky can be found in the book “Teraturgima” (1638). In it, the Lavra monk Afanasy Kalnofoisky indicates that in the Holy Lavra he found his last refuge Elijah, before taking monastic vows, was a famous knight and defender of the Russian land.

In 1988, the remains of Ilya Pechersky were examined by a commission from the Ministry of Health. It was established that during his lifetime he actually had a heroic Ancient Rus' height (177 cm), for a long time was bedridden due to a spinal disease, and then served in the princely squad. ABOUT last fact evidenced by healed fractures and other traces of multiple combat wounds.

Nikitich

In epics, Dobrynya is portrayed as a kind-hearted person with a creative streak. He always strives to protect the orphaned and wretched. In addition, he plays the harp, sings well, and, when possible, indulges gambling. All these qualities suggest that the hero could belong to the nobility.

Philologists Kireevsky and Khoroshev believe that the image of this epic knight was “copied” from Vladimir Svyatoslavovich’s uncle, whose name was Dobrynya Malkovich. Relative Prince of Kyiv born in the village of Nizkinichi, where the nickname “Nizkinich” and then “Nikitich” came from.

The Tale of Bygone Years and the Joachim Chronicle contain information about how Dobrynya Nikitich played big role in the fate of Rus'. On his initiative, Vladimir was called to reign. Later, with his help, the baptism of Novgorodians was carried out, which ended with the burning of pagan houses and a large fire.

Alesha Popovich

Alyosha, the youngest of the heroes, did not have colossal physical strength, but was savvy, boastful and eager for the female sex. The prototype of this hero is considered to be a boyar from Rostov, a certain Alexander Popovich. The Nikon Chronicle mentions that he died in a battle on the Kalka River in 1223, and before that he became famous for his exploits during the Battle of Lipetsk.

According to another version, Alyosha appeared in epics thanks to the real-life boyar Olberg Ratiborovich. He was a warrior and ally of Vladimir Monomakh. In 1095, this man negotiated with the Polovtsian Khan Itlar, but did not complete his mission, as he was treacherously shot through a hole in the roof.

Researchers of the image of the hero (Boris Rybakov, Anatoly Chlenov) believe that Khan Itlar is precisely the prototype of the filthy Idol with whom the epic Alyosha Popovich fought. Pagan name“Olberg” was transformed from the Orthodox “Olesha”, and then “Alyosha”. And so the third Russian hero appeared, who can now be seen on famous painting Vasnetsova.