The painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” was painted by the Russian painter and architect, master of historical and folklore painting Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov in 1889 based on the plot of a famous Russian folk tale. Looking at the picture, the viewer seems to be immersed in a magical world, finding himself next to the main characters of the fairy tale. On the canvas, Vasnetsov depicted Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful, riding the Gray Wolf away from the possessions of the evil king.

Sitting on his devoted friend, Ivan Tsarevich tightly and carefully hugs Elena the Beautiful. On it we see a beautiful caftan made of expensive brocade, belted with a green sash, one cannot help but notice the beautiful black gloves with a pattern that adorn Ivan’s hands, Ivan Tsarevich has a red cap on his head, and beautiful red boots on his feet. Ivan Tsarevich has a very serious expression on his face. With his large eyes, he anxiously peers into the distance: are they chasing him? He fears that the villain will take away his most precious thing - Elena the Beautiful. Behind the back of the protagonist is a beautiful sword in an equally beautiful case: a good fellow is always ready to defend himself.

Next to Ivan Tsarevich sits Vasilisa the Beautiful - a Russian beauty with beautiful blond hair fluttering in the wind. She wears a beautiful silk dress with a light blue sheen and gold trim on the bottom and sleeves. The beauty has pearl beads on her neck, and interesting morocco boots on her feet. A beautiful cap covering the girl's head is decorated with precious stones. The girl rested her head on her savior's chest, her gaze slightly drooping and thoughtful. Elena completely trusted Ivan Tsarevich and humbly folded her hands in front of her.

The Gray Wolf hurriedly moves forward. His ears are pressed to his head, his tongue peeps out of a huge toothy mouth, but there is no malice in the eyes of the wolf. Strong paws, having left the ground, are ready to make a long jump through the swamp.

Behind the heroes of the picture it is clear that their path passes through the old forest. Centuries-old trees are overgrown with green moss, the forest is very gloomy and scary, it symbolizes evil forces that are trying to harm the heroes. Around impenetrable thicket. Gnarled dark branches interfere with the fugitives. In addition to the old frightening trees, the artist also depicted beautiful attention-grabbing flowers - water lilies growing in a swamp, as well as pale pink flowers of an old apple tree with bright green leaves, which, I think, symbolize hope for salvation and a happy future.

Vasnetsov in his painting "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf" created the magical world of Russian folk tales. When you re-read Ivan Tsarevich and the gray wolf, this ingenious work of painting will certainly come to mind.

Together with the article “Description of Vasnetsov’s painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” they read:

Brief biography of V.M. Vasnetsov

Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov was born on May 3, 1848 in the Vyatka province (now Kirov) in the family of a priest. He studied at the theological school, and then at the theological seminary. With the consent of his father, he left the seminary before graduating and went to St. Petersburg to enter the Imperial Academy of Arts. Vasnetsov traveled abroad after graduating from the Academy, but began exhibiting his work in 1869. Participated in expositions of the Wanderers and was a member of the Mammoth circle (an association of Russian intelligentsia, founded in Rome, but developed in the estate of patron S.I. Mamontov in Abramtsevo).

Vasnetsov was a member of the Academy of Arts, had many awards and privileges, took part in the creation of the Society for the Revival of Artistic Rus' (an organization that acquaints the Russian people with its indigenous ancient creativity).

Vasnetsov is best known for his paintings of epic-historical subjects: “After the Battle of Igor Svyatoslavich with the Polovtsians” (1880), “Alyonushka” (1881), “The Knight at the Crossroads” (1882), “Heroes” (1881–1898), “Tsar Ivan Vasilievich the Terrible" (1897).

One of the people's favorite paintings is "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf" (1889). The fairy tale, familiar to everyone since childhood, literally comes to life on the canvas of Vasnetsov.

The history of the creation of the painting by V. Vasnetsov "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf"

All artists prepare differently to create their creations. Some people have an idea in their head for a long time, outline a plan, prepare hundreds of sketches - and only then start work. Others act under the influence of feelings, intuitively. The painting "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" was painted according to the second version.

In 1889, Vasnetsov was absorbed in work in the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv (the painting of the cathedral took the artist ten years!). Suddenly, the idea of ​​a painting based on a Russian folk tale about Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf was born. To paint this picture, it was necessary to temporarily suspend work in the Kiev Cathedral - and, as a result, now the whole world can enjoy a wonderful canvas that embodies all sincere human feelings and Russian folk culture.

The workbook is included in the complex of textbooks “Art. Fine Arts” for grades 5–9, developed in the system of the scientific and pedagogical school of Academician V. S. Kuzin on the basis of the Federal State Educational Standard for Basic General Education and ensuring the continuity of teaching fine arts in primary and secondary schools. Special signs mark tasks aimed at the formation of meta-subject skills (planning activities, highlighting various features, comparing, classifying, establishing cause-and-effect relationships, transforming information, etc.) and personal qualities of students.

Fugitive Heroes

The central characters of the folk tale Ivan Tsarevich, Elena the Beautiful and the Gray Wolf are depicted on the canvas by the hand of the master. Three heroes escape from the chase, rushing to meet their fate through the impenetrable and dense forest.

Ivan Tsarevich tightly embraces Elena the Beautiful and anxiously watches to see if their pursuers are catching up with them. His outfit clearly testifies to the high position of the young man - an expensive caftan, a red hat trimmed with fur, black patterned gloves and red patterned boots. Behind the Tsarevich's back is a sword in a sheath - proof that the young man will fight to the last drop of blood for his happiness.

In the arms of Ivan Tsarevich, Elena the Beautiful rides on the Gray Wolf. Her expression is sad and concentrated. She fears for her life and the life of her beloved, she is afraid that they will not be able to escape from their enemies. Her hands calmly (and even limply) lie on her knees, demonstrating the full return of her fate to the power of Ivan Tsarevich. She trusts the young man, but her heart is still not calm, because the chase is very close.

The long hair of Elena the Beautiful falls in waves on her shoulders and flutters in the wind from a quick jump. The girl is wearing a lovely sky-colored dress with gold trim. On Elena's legs are golden boots, and on her head is a rich cap with precious stones. A string of pearls adorns the runaway's neck. The "model" of the image of Elena the Beautiful was the artist's niece - Natalia Mamontova.

The main assistant of a couple in love is depicted as tired, but desperately fighting for the happiness of the young. The Gray Wolf runs at tremendous speed, escaping from the chase - powerful paws are tense, all tendons and muscles are visible. The ears are pressed to the head, and the tongue falls out of the mouth - it is not easy for the beast to carry the fugitives and quickly rush forward.

• An introduction to the visual arts learning space

The role of the landscape in the painting "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf"

All nature in the picture reflects the dangerous situation of the heroes, fear for the future, anxiety from what is happening and the test that has befallen them.

A swamp lies under the paws of the Wolf, on the sides there are centuries-old trees covered with moss, spruce and an untrodden path. It seems that fairy-tale heroes will perish in this impenetrable darkness, the Gray Wolf will get lost and the chase will overtake the fugitives.

But there are bright sides in the landscape in the picture, proving that everything will be fine for the young. The tree in blossom and the water lilies symbolize hope, new life, happiness and love. The apple tree, from whose fruits the story of the heroes began, with its velvety-airy flowers miraculously “echoes” with the attire of Elena the Beautiful, adding tenderness to the picture. Thanks to the combination of a dense forest and a flowering tree, a mighty wolf and small water lilies, the severe anxiety of Ivan Tsarevich and the calm tenderness of Elena the Beautiful, the canvas seems to glow from within, has true magic and gives faith in a miracle.

"Path to the Light"

The skill of Viktor Vasnetsov makes the heroes of the picture come to life before our eyes. The fugitives are captured at the moment of movement, "snatched" from a swift run. It seems that a little more - and the Gray Wolf will jump out of the canvas and run away, continuing to carry the young people.

The painting "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf" must be looked at, admired. This is not just an image of your favorite heroes, familiar from childhood, but a real song to Russian legends and epics, a reflection of the struggle between good and evil and a thorny path to a happy future. The famous painting by Viktor Vasnetsov is exhibited at the State Tretyakov Gallery. At any time, you can visit the art gallery and enjoy this painting and other creations of the brilliant artist.

Brief history of creation

Main characters

Composition analysis

Description of the painting "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf" by V. Vasnetsov

Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful are escaping from the chase, rushing through dense forest thickets astride the Gray Wolf. With anxiety, the Tsarevich peers into the surrounding forest - if the fugitives are overtaken, an inevitable separation awaits them. At the same time, he confidently and firmly holds Elena, who practically resigned herself to fate and frightenedly clings to her savior, trying not to look around ...

Brief history of creation

Vasnetsov's canvas "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf" is rightfully considered one of the most fabulous works of Russian fine art. This picture was painted by the artist in 1889 during the period when he was working on the painting of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv. For the sake of creating a picture, Vasnetsov interrupted work in the cathedral for some time. He took the popular folk tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf" as the basis for the plot.

Main characters

The posture of Ivan Tsarevich and the expression on his face indicate that he is wary, but at the same time full of determination and courage. Strong and powerful, having won more than once in confrontation with the enemy, the Tsarevich inspires respect and trust. He carefully holds Elena the Beautiful, tired from a long and dangerous journey, by the hand.

Of particular interest to the viewer is the figure of the Gray Wolf. This fabulous predator has human eyes, from which it follows that the artist depicted a werewolf or werewolf (an ancient Slavic version of the name) in the picture. The wolf's gaze is directed directly at the viewer. At the same time, there is nothing bloodthirsty and wild in his appearance. On the contrary, the image of a fabulous wolf is full of courage and devotion. The Gray Wolf is depicted by Vasnetsov as incredibly powerful. Moving in big leaps, he carries the Tsarevich and Elena through a dense forest thicket, where no human foot has ever set foot. It seems that the whole group of heroes seems to be hovering over a swamp surrounded by ominous forest thickets.

The wolf vigilantly peers into the space ahead, choosing a path. An open mouth and a protruding tongue indicate that he can hardly overcome fatigue and is holding on with his last strength. Wolf paws are widely spread, a long fluffy tail spreads in the wind.

The fabulousness of the plot is emphasized by the clothes of the main characters. Ivan Tsarevich is wearing an expensive caftan made of brocade, belted with a green sash. Behind him is a sword. The caftan of the Tsarevich, decorated with gold, is in perfect harmony with Elena's exquisite blue silk attire. The combination of gold and blue colors in Slavic mythology testifies to the connection with the world of magic and miracles.

Elena the Beautiful personifies the Russian beauty with long blond hair. Pearl beads adorn her neck, and morocco boots are worn on her feet. On the head of the princess is an exquisite headdress decorated with precious stones.

The artist skillfully conveys the material of the clothes of the main characters with pictorial means. Looking at the canvas, the viewer feels the weight of brocade, velvet, morocco and gold embroidery.

Elena herself is sad, but her decoration looks elegant and joyful. This unusually feminine image was painted by Vasnetsov from his niece, Natalya Anatolyevna Mamontova. The main emphasis, as in the case of Alyonushka, Vasnetsov made not on external features, but on the mental mood and posture of the heroine.

The Gray Wolf is also not literally depicted as grey. His golden-brown coat seems to repeat the color of the clothes of the Tsarevich, whom he so faithfully serves.

Composition analysis

The vertical composition of the picture evokes in the viewer a sense of impending danger and disturbing uncertainty. The main characters seem to be enclosed in a red quadrangle: the Tsarevich's red cap, red scabbard, red boots and the wolf's red tongue. It is the red color that helps to create a sense of approaching danger.

The surrounding landscape emphasizes the anxious mood of the fugitives. The action of the picture takes place against the background of the morning dawn, in the foreground a swamp darkens menacingly, behind the dense branches of giant trees a gray-purple sky is barely visible. The dense forest looks ominous. Huge trees covered with moss form an impenetrable wall, but before the good characters of the fairy tale they seem to part, helping to get away from the chase.

A blooming apple tree and marsh water lilies bring revival to the gloomy landscape. The appearance of an apple tree near a forest swamp seems unusual and alarming. However, this detail is of great importance. It takes the viewer to the very beginning of the fairy tale story. After all, it was from the apple tree that brought golden apples that the whole story began.

A blossoming apple tree also symbolizes the beginning of a new life and love, it gives the viewer hope that everything will end well. The silver-white flowers of the tree echo Elena's outfit and link the whole color scheme of the picture into a single whole. The canvas is filled with a mysterious shimmer, evoking a feeling of touching a miracle.

Vasnetsov once again proved that he is an unsurpassed master of historical and folklore painting. You can describe what is happening in the picture with a line from a Russian folk tale: “The gray wolf rushed off with Ivan Tsarevich, with Elena the Beautiful on the way back - he misses blue forests, rivers, lakes with his tail sweeps ...”.

The artist arranged the characters diagonally, which creates a sense of movement.

The picture is made in contrasting colors, emphasizing the eternal struggle between good and evil. The dark colors in which the forest is depicted symbolize evil forces, anxiety and danger. Bright colors dominating the appearance of the main characters emphasize their belonging to everything good and bright.

A fabulous painting about Elena the Beautiful and the Tsarevich immerses the viewer into the world of Russian folklore, helping to believe in the triumph of good over evil. The painting is currently in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

This picture by Vasnetsov illustrates one of the exciting episodes of the Russian folk tale. You can immediately see the forest, in which there are already old powerful trees, through which barely light breaks through and you can see the blue sky, which means that everything will end well, because in fairy tales good always triumphs over evil. The forest consists mainly of pine trees, in such a place there are a lot of animals and birds. Against the backdrop of a dense forest, the author depicted Ivan Tsarevich on a wolf, as well as the beautiful Vasilisa. The wolf runs at full speed, as they run away from the chase. The wolf knows that the life of not only his own, but also his friends depends on him now.

Vasnetsov portrayed the wolf as strong and huge. Such a dark background can be perceived that the chase is tense, the characters are going through. They understand that if they are caught, separation is inevitable. And so the fairy-tale characters look not only frightened, but also saddened. Not only the forest is very gloomy and dark. Amid all this darkness, the beauty of the heroes is visible. Ivan is presented in a beautiful embroidered camisole, and Vasilisa the Beautiful in a beautiful blue dress with an orange hem.

The prince carefully holds his beloved. A reverent and tender attitude towards a girl can immediately be seen at a glance. Vasilisa is also tender to her chosen one and clung to Ivan from fright, her luxurious long hair is loose and disheveled from the wind.

The picture is full of emotions and plot. The artist conveyed all the fabulousness and anxiety of the moment. The blossoming apple tree, which is located in the picture in the lower right corner, speaks of the beginning of love and a brighter future.

Folk art is the kindest and most magical thing for children. In fairy tales there are always brave heroes. In some works for children, animals help people in need.

Description 2

In the picture, the artist used the contrast of tones. The background is a gloomy forest, made in dark colors. The brown trunks of huge trees with twisted branches are densely covered with gray lichens and greenish moss. Green foliage is not visible on them, they seem dead. Trees grow close to each other, forming an impenetrable thicket and covering the sky. Even a small ray of the sun does not penetrate their dark kingdom. In the background, an ominous, white fog spreads between them, which leads astray, hides the road.

The forest is very inhospitable, scary. It has a lot of broken branches, fallen trees. An abandoned place where no human foot has set foot. Only in the foreground, as a symbol of hope, a young, timid tree blossomed with snow-white flowers. A few more white spots indicate water lilies blooming on the water surface. The water in the swamp is the same dark green, cold, like everything around.

Ivan Tsarevich makes his way through this thicket. His faithful friend the Gray Wolf rushes at full speed to save him and Elena the Beautiful. The beast jumps over the swamp with great leaps. He is already tired, breathing heavily, his tongue sticking out, but he does not stop. The fur of the wolf is only slightly lighter than the surrounding landscape.

Ivan Tsarevich and his companion are depicted in bright colors in the center of the picture, they stand out brightly against the background of a dark forest. The prince is wearing expensive clothes of light gold color and a blue belt. His sword in its ornate scabbard flutters with the wolf's maneuvers. He furrowed his brows and closely follows what is happening, the pursuers. His face is stern, concentrated, he does not intend to give up.

The princess in a pale blue robe embroidered with gold clung to the prince. She is young, beautiful. The headdress of the girl is embroidered with precious stones, pearl threads are on the neck and on the hands. She was very tired, her face was pale and sad, without a hint of a blush, her eyes were frozen. In her whole figure, doom is felt. She sits with her hands down, as if lifeless, not hoping for anything. Her long blond hair was tousled. But the prince holds his beloved tightly, he will save her.

Looking at this picture, you feel anxiety for the main characters. I want them to get out of this dark forest as soon as possible.

Composition Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf Vasnetsov

Most recently, I had the honor to get acquainted with the painting by Vasnetsov "Ivan - Tsarevich on a gray wolf." Its author took one of my favorite fairy tales as a basis and depicted Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful riding a wolf through the forest. The dark forest surrounding them is dense, gloomy and terrible, causing nothing more than fear and horror.

From the clothes of the depicted characters and the dark tones of the forest, it can be determined that the event took place in autumn or early spring. And this is precisely what the plot itself emphasizes and makes it possible to understand the depth of fear and feelings of the fleeing heroes.
Ivan, the author of the picture, portrayed as bold, strong and courageous, and the beautiful Elena as tender, fragile, frightened and tired, as it should be in life.

The canvas aroused in me a feeling of delight, because, reading a fairy tale in childhood, I could not even imagine the feelings and experiences of the characters. And here everything is so realistically written, as if I were standing in that dense forest and watching a wolf and two horsemen run past me. The artist managed to depict the characters with such accuracy, he picked up the play of tones so well that they are about to jump out of the frame and run.

The plot of the picture itself shows how the Tsarevich overcomes the difficult path that has befallen him due to the violation of prohibitions. Under the paws of the wolf, a swamp with water lilies is drawn, an old apple tree that has bent its still flowering branches to the ground, and thick fog is visible between other trees. Elena and Tsarevich are the only bright spot on this canvas. The red royal clothes add pride and confidence to the hero, and the beauty's scarlet and golden robe gives her tenderness and femininity.

In Ivan's eyes one can read faith, hope for salvation and confidence. With strong and courageous hands, he gently presses Elena to him, thereby showing her that she is safe. However, the Beautiful is frightened to the will and from hopelessness put her hands and head on the shoulder of the savior, it seems that she no longer wants anything, and she does not believe that salvation is near.

The wolf is depicted in such a way that it is immediately clear how fast they rush through the forest, running away from danger. And the tones with which the author painted the color of the wolf are much lighter than the general plan, thus he probably wanted to show that “the wolf is not as scary as it is painted” and that the beast is a friend to man.

Whatever the situation, dangerous or hopeless, there must always be faith in salvation and hope for the best.

• Composition based on Satarov's painting Forest Coolness Grade 8

  “Forest coolness” is a very beautiful, bright picture. Indeed, there is freshness, energy in it ... We see a stream, a source of strength. Around him is a dense forest. There is a lot of sun in the picture

  Before me is a painting by a world-famous Italian artist. Probably, there is not a single person who has never heard or seen a reproduction of the Mona Lisa or the Mona Lisa.

• Composition based on the painting by Bryullov Portrait of the Shishmaryov sisters (description)

  The famous Russian artist Bryullov is famous for painting portraits. One of them depicts real faces - the Shishmareva sisters.

The painting by Viktor Vasnetsov "Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf" is perhaps one of the most folklore works of Russian fine art. The plot of the picture is based on the famous Russian folk tale - "Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf". Ivan Tsarevich with Elena the Beautiful, stolen by him, flee from the chase on the Gray Wolf, Ivan's faithful friend. The prince carefully looks around, tightly presses his beloved to his chest. Elena, subdued and indifferent to what is happening, trustingly clung to her savior. She tries not to look around, frightened by the chase, the dense forest, and even the wolf.

Particular attention of the viewer is attracted by the Gray Wolf with his human look. This is an unusual character: the Gray Wolf is a werewolf, a werewolf, as he used to be called. But both in the Russian folk tale and in the picture, his image is positive, full of courage and fidelity.

The gray wolf easily carries away its riders from the chase. He runs barely touching the ground, as if hovering over a gloomy swamp in the middle of a dense forest. In the picture in this forest, marsh lilies and apple blossoms stand out as bright spots. An apple tree in the middle of a dense forest, in a swamp? With this, the artist refers us to the plot of a folk tale - after all, adventures began from an apple tree with golden apples.

The clothes of the heroes of the canvas are also fabulous. Ivan Tsarevich, dressed in a caftan embroidered with gold, and Elena in a blue silk dress complement each other stylistically. And the Gray Wolf is not gray at all, the color of his coat echoes the color of the prince's clothes. The whole picture creates the mood of a fairy tale, a miracle, a riddle.

Year of painting: 1889.

Painting dimensions: 249 x 187 cm.

Material: canvas.

Painting technique: oil.

Genre: mythological painting.

Style: romanticism.

Gallery: State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.

Other paintings by the artist:

Description of the painting by Viktor Vasnetsov “Alyonushka”

Description of the painting by Viktor Vasnetsov “Heroes”

Description of the painting by Viktor Vasnetsov “The Knight at the Crossroads”