Arts & Entertainment, Art
Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads". History and description
Russian artist Vasnetsov Victor Mikhailovich is considered the founder of the "Russian style" of painting. This style was born at the crossroads of the historical genre, folklore traditions and tendencies of symbolism. Brushes Vasnetsov belong to the canvases illustrating the stories of fairy tales and bylina. The rich Russian culture and original folk art became generous sources of inspiration for the artist .
Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads". History of creation
The end of the seventies of the XIX became for V.M. Vasnetsov is a turning point. He resolutely moved away from genre realistic painting and graphics, from which he began his creative career. At that time, he was captured by the idea of finding the exact picturesque embodiment of the characteristic elements of epic poetry. Especially his attention was attracted by colorful images of Russian heroes.
In those years he conceived the picture "The Knight at the Crossroads". Vasnetsov made several pencil sketches and began to paint a painting, the first version of which was completed in 1877 and presented to the public at the next exhibition of the Peredvizhniki artists in 1878.
The final view of Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads" was received in 1882. It is in this version that it is known today to the general public.
Comparative analysis of the two options
| Differences of the final version | Symbolism |
| In the first case, the Knight will turn his face to the viewer, and in the second - his back. | The viewer's attention was transferred from the hero's mimicry to the pose of a rider and a horse. In the epic holes of horses always copies the habits of riders. |
| The space behind the hero is reduced. | It does not matter where the traveler came from. |
| Increased space behind the stone. | More will accept the impending danger. |
| The sky has become more formidable. In the first case - a soft sunset, in the second - the approaching clouds. | Another sign of waiting danger. |
The spear became red and indicates the final version on the skull. | Red is the color of blood and aggression. |
| The stone became older, and moss appeared on it. | According to the idea of the author, the moss closes from the eyes of the traveler two alternative safe options. |
Thus, making a number of amendments to the picture "The Knight at the Crossroads", Vasnetsov made the canvas more dramatic and expressive. This causes more emotion in the viewer.
Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads". Description
In the center of the canvas is the figure of the hero on a beautiful white horse. The rider stopped in thoughtfulness before the old, moss-covered stone. The inscription on it portends an imminent death to someone who will continue along this road.
The knight is in combat gear. On his head is a wrought-iron helmet, a spear in his hand, behind a shield and a quiver with arrows. However, his posture indicates a great fatigue. Therefore, he hesitates, not daring to engage again.
The pose and the kind of horse confirm the assumption that travelers have not known rest for many days. He bowed his head wearily. His tail and mane does not develop either wind or fighting excitement. They hang limply, demonstrating an extreme degree of fatigue.
Mastery of detail image
Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads" anticipates the appearance in the painting of a psychological landscape, a "landscape of mood". Terrible sunset sky, randomly scattered boulders, human remains and circling in anticipation of a new prey ravens - all this aggravates the tragedy of the situation.
Stone deserves special attention. V.M. Vasnetsov stressed that the text of the inscription was taken from the original samples of epic poetry. Traditionally, such stones gave the traveler a choice. The road was closed only in one direction, the two others promised wealth and happiness. The author intentionally wiped and covered the inscription with moss to put his hero in the situation as tragic as possible.
You can try to disassemble the text of the inscription on the presented photo. "The Knight at the Crossroads" is a picture over which the author worked for almost 10 years. This is one of the top works of V.М. Vasnetsov.
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