Materials for the preparation and conduct of the event.
1. Reproductions of the painting by V.M. Vasnetsova: "Alyonushka" and sketches for it - the sketch "Seated Girl" (1880) and "Pond in Akhtyrka" (1880).
2. Literature.
Painting masters. Viktor Vasnetsov. - M .: White City, 1999;
E.I. Kirichenko. Russian style. – M.: Galart, 1997.
Biological encyclopedic dictionary. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1986.
Life of animals. T.6. Birds. – M.: Enlightenment, 1989.
Fauna of the world. T.2. Birds. – M.: Agropromizdat, 1991.
Plants and animals. Naturalist's Guide. – M.: Mir, 1991.
Alan Pease. Body language. - Nizhny Novgorod.: IQ, 1992.
PROGRESS OF THE EVENT
1. Mood
A singsong Russian folk melody sounds. The teacher reads poetry.
The girl sat down on the bank of the pond,
The braid is loose, the dress is torn off,
Bare feet are chilled by a cold stone,
On the hands of children's head drooped ...
What trouble happened to her?
Or did the evil stepmother drive her away at night looking?
Ile lost her fidget brother -
She ran through the forest for a long time, screaming,
She sat down to rest, but she could not get up -
Grief is heavy, does not allow to rise.
And the forest was silent. The birds are silent
Aspen stopped trembling
The water froze - no circles, no sound,
Everything guards Alyonushka's peace.
2. Introductory speech of the teacher
Guys, in front of you is a picture of the famous Russian artist Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. You are well acquainted with his paintings - "Bogatyrs", "After the battle of Igor Svyatoslavovich with the Polovtsians", "Ivan Tsarevich on a gray wolf" and others. He was not just among the first artists who turned to the subjects of Russian folklore. He was the first of the masters of easel art who managed to convey epic-fairy stories in a spirit corresponding to the artistic features of fairy tales and epics.
But today we will turn to the work that most strongly reflected the belief in the beneficial and transformative effects of art and beauty. This is Alyonushka.
In the summer of 1880, Viktor Mikhailovich lived in the village of Akhtyrka, a few miles from Abramtsevo, where he began to paint sketches. Soon an oil sketch appears - a barefoot peasant girl, huddled into a ball, sits on a stone by the water. Behind her is a dark spot of the forest. So the great picture of Vasnetsov was gradually born. The artist carefully, slowly developed the original idea, without changing the main thing in it: the image of Alyonushka, which arose in his imagination long before the end of the work.
The following summer, 1881, after numerous sketches and sketches by V.M. Vasnetsov set to work on one of his most sincere and soulful lyrical works. He completed the painting in the winter of 1881 in Moscow and sent it to another traveling exhibition. “To express the soul so deeply, to present the type so poetically - this requires the talent of an artist,” critics wrote about the picture. But no one noticed the new that Vasnetsov introduced into Russian art by creating Alyonushka.
3. Statement of the problem
Let's try to answer the question together: what discovery did the artist make when he painted the canvas?
4. Organization of work in groups
The class is divided into groups: "Ecologists", "Ornithologists", "Painters", "Psychologists". Each group receives a specific task on cards (see below) and gets to work.
5. Discussion of the results of the work
Speech by "Ecologists"
(When completing the task, they were asked to use the book “Plants and Animals. Naturalist's guide, p. 57, 64, 66.)
Questions
1. What biocenoses are shown in the picture? ( A swamp, a pond, in the background - a spruce forest.)
2. Why a pond and not a river, a stream? ( Stagnant water - no movement, sadness, hopelessness.)
3. What plants are depicted in the painting "Alyonushka"? ( Angustifolia cattail, panicled sedge, common tail (water pine), aspen, spruce.)
4. What plants are shown on the sketch "Pond in Akhtyrka"? ( Birches, in the water - white water lily.)
5. Why did the artist replace some of the plants in the main painting? ( Birch - a symbol of light, goodness, hope, aspen - a symbol of sorrow, sadness, trembling sheets - fear, excitement; white water lily flowers also inspired hope. Dark fir trees are a symbol of impending disaster.)
6. Are the trees in the picture young or old? Why? ( Young, just like Alyonushka.)
7. What season? ( The beginning of autumn - aspens began to turn yellow.)
8. What time of day? ( Most likely evening. The sun is barely visible.)
9. What's the weather like? ( Mainly cloudy. Sad.)
Conclusion. Nature yearns along with Alyonushka, adding to the picture a “mood of quivering sorrow.” The water is dark, stagnant - there is no movement. Thickets of sedge in the dark water seem to protect Alyonushka from a wrong step. It is also guarded by young firs standing behind her as sentinels. As it is sung in a folk song: “Woe follows me, threatens after me: “I will cut down, I will cut down all the dark forests, and I will find you, miserable one!”
Performance by "Ornithologists"
(They were asked to answer the question: “What birds did the artist depict in the picture? Why do you think?")
Questions
1. What kind of swallow is shown in the picture? Use the Biological Encyclopedic Dictionary, p. 312, article "Swallow". ( Judging by the elongated body, long forked tail, long sharp wings, dark plumage of the dorsal side and white abdomen, the painting depicts a barn swallow, or killer whale.)
2. Was the artist right when he depicted a bird of open spaces on the edge of a forest next to a pond? Use "Fauna of the world. Birds, p. 225, article "The Swallow Family". ( “Swallows inhabit open spaces near freshwater reservoirs - river valleys, lake shores, forest edges ... Swallows are excellent flyers, they spend a significant part of their lives in the air. They are reluctant to descend to the ground, preferring to sit on tree branches, roofs of buildings, wires ... ”Yes, swallows can be on a tree next to a freshwater reservoir.)
3. How many swallows are shown in the picture? Why do you think? Can birds tell the season? Use the book Animal Life. Birds, p. 374, article "The Swallow Family". ( “Swallows are social birds. In the northern parts of the breeding range, there is one clutch per nest, usually 4–6 eggs. After leaving the nest, the parents feed the chicks for a few more days. Then, young birds that have become independent gather in large flocks and, in search of food, fly along riverside meadows, shores of lakes and swamps. In September, the number of swallows in individual flocks increases to a thousand or more, and the flight to wintering places begins. The painting shows a family of swallows shortly after leaving the nest. The season is the end of summer, but not yet September.)
4. Once again, carefully consider the swallows in the picture. What can you say about the composition of this group? ( Of the six birds, the artist depicted four turned away. Usually the swallows chirp pleasantly, chirp, here they most likely sleep. With their silence, the birds emphasize the sadness of Alyonushka.)
5. Why exactly swallows, and not sparrows, crows, etc.? Use V.Dal's dictionary, maybe it will help you. ( It was not by chance that the artist chose the swallows to show the sadness of the girl. "Swallow" - so affectionately addressed in Rus' to a girl. Symbolism is also visible in the choice of a black and white bird. Riddles about the swallow: “White is wedding, black is sad.” "The light is white, but the people are black."
Performance by the Painters
Questions
1. What color did the artist choose for the painting? ( All shades of green, mostly dark.)
2. Why do you think? ( Green is the color of peace and tranquility.)
3. How did the artist focus on Alyonushka? ( Placed the image of the girl in the foreground; highlighted the brighter spot of the sundress with color.)
4. What is the overall composition of the painting? ( The foreground is Alyonushka and the pond, the background is a dark spot of the forest and a gray sky.)
5. Compare the sketches for the painting and the final version. What changed? ( In the sketch - a study of a seated girl - the sky is not visible. It appeared in the picture, symbolizing a ray of hope. In the sketch, a different color scheme in the girl’s clothes is a dark purple dress, in the picture the sundress stands out with a brighter spot.)
Conclusion. In the silvery-smoky color scheme of the picture, a sad chant is heard: “Oh, grief, melancholy, great sadness.” But the bright sky behind the dark forest gives hope for a brighter future.
Presentation by "Psychologists"
(When completing the task, they were asked to use the book by Allan Pease "Body Language", p. 104.)
Questions
1. Why is a girl (and not a woman, a man) depicted in the picture? ( Children evoke a natural feeling of pity. Men do not tend to show sadness and sorrow, this is the lot of women.)
2. Pay attention to the pose of the girl. Why is she sitting? Try to analyze the tilt of the head, the look, the position of the arms, legs, hair. ( Head bowed in hands, hair loose - an expression of grief. Hair as if fenced off from the outside world. Hands crossed on knees - barrier hands, also shelter from everyone.)
3. Pay attention to clothes. What can you say about Alyonushka? ( Clothes are old and torn. The sleeve is torn, the hem of the sundress. The girl is very poor and lazy - she cannot sew up her sleeve.)
4. Compare the sketch for the painting (“Study of a Seated Girl”) and “Alyonushka”. What changed? ( In the sketch, the girl looks directly at the viewer, and in the picture she looks into the water, immersed in herself. In the sketch, the girl has an almost new dark blue dress; in the picture, the clothes are very worn. In the sketch, the girl is sitting in a meadow surrounded by bright green grass and whitening flowers here and there, in the picture there is only the dark expanse of a pond.)
5. Why did the artist make these changes to the painting? ( To emphasize the grief of the girl, to arouse pity and compassion in the viewer for her.)
Conclusion. The girl, the trees, the birds on the branch are sad together, merging into a quiet, thoughtful fairy tale. The personification of the Russian female share, and perhaps Russia itself.
6. Conclusions
Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov revealed the subtlest connection between human experiences and the state of nature, which is beautifully conveyed in folk poetry. Nature in the picture yearns along with Alyonushka, adding to the canvas a “mood of quivering sorrow.” Such an artistic and poetic image was new for Russian painting.
Today at the lesson we made a discovery: what deep knowledge in the field of biology, ecology, psychology, painting, the artist had to have in order to create this masterpiece!
7. Homework
Try to write a short essay-impression about the picture.
Ludmila Zaguzina
Synopsis of an integrated lesson on the painting by V. M. Vasnetsov "Heroes"
Goals and objectives: Develop cognitive interest children to Russian history, consolidating knowledge about the heroes of Russian epics in literary, artistic and musical works. Raise a sense of patriotism through a variety of art forms. Create an appropriate emotional mood with a variety of musical means and genres.
Preliminary work.
1. The teacher's story about the epic heroes.
2. Acquaintance with the work of V. M. Vasnetsov(pictures"Alyonushka", "Ivan Tsarevich on a gray wolf");
3. Acquaintance with different literary genres: epics, poems, proverbs.
vocabulary work:
club, chain mail, shield, helmet
Equipment.
Reproduction paintings B. Vasnetsov "Heroes", excerpt from “ Bogatyrskaya" symphony A. Borodin, “Russian heroes. Epics” in the retelling for children by I. Karnaukhova, substitute subjects (bow, spear, sword, shield)
Program contents
Introduce children to picture B. M. Vasnetsov"Bogatyrs";
To teach to understand its figurative structure, to feel the mood;
To form the ability to see the artistic means of creating an image;
Involve children in creative work on entering the artistic image, penetration into the internal state of the depicted characters;
Bring up interest in painting
Lesson progress
Hello guys -
Boys and girls!
Let's take a trip today.
Oh, our procession will not be dull.
Glory to the Russian side!
Glory to Russian antiquity!
And about this old
I'll start telling
So that the children can know
About the affairs of the native land.
Educator. A long time ago, on the site of the cities and villages where we now live, there were impenetrable forests full of animals and birds. Many places were occupied by marshy swamps. Only very strong, hardy and brave people could live in such conditions. Among them were our ancestors - Slavs: fair-haired, blue-eyed, tall, muscular. They were brave warriors. And in those distant years, war was a common thing, because they had to defend their lands from enemies, the Slavs spent a lot of time in battles.
Centuries passed, and the city of Kyiv became the center of the Russian land. Grand Duke Vladimir the Red Sun ruled there. Under him, the borders of Rus' were well defended, the enmity subsided.
In those distant times, the Russians (that was the name of the ancient Slavs) famous heroic strength tales and epics were composed about their exploits.
Who are they heroes?
Name the names heroes who do you know?
Who fought rich and why?
Bogatyr- a man of immeasurable strength, stamina and courage, performing military feats. Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich, Alyosha Popovich - the most beloved and famous Russians heroes. Like the guards of holy Rus', they stand at the outpost (borders) heroic, past which neither the beast will slip, nor the bird will fly.
Listening to an audio recording "Outpost" (excerpt).
Conversation by picture B. M. Vasnetsov« Bogatyrs» .
- Guys, the exploits of Russian heroes - heroes reflected not only in epics, but also in the work of artists. Great Russian artist Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov painted a picture« Bogatyrs» . Let's look at it and talk about it.
Look guys, this is one of the best paintings in Russian painting. Written by V. M. Vasnetsov over 100 years ago. Actually finished writing. And he conceived and painted it for 27 years.
All these years the artist has been saving material for paintings: studied many epics, legends, looked for and drew sitters for heroes, wrote many sketches, selected paints.
Vasnetsov he was very fond of Russian epics, legends about Russian heroes. There were many heroes, but the artist's favorites are Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich, Alyosha Popovich.
The people in their epics and legends in everything exalted their heroes, therefore, in their everyday, usual form, the artist could not imagine them and depicted heroes in rich armor, on festively dressed horses.
Tell me guys are they the same heroes? (children's answers)
What is the difference? (children's answers)
How are their horses different? (children's answers)
When Vasnetsov painted his painting he listened to the music of his loved ones composers: Glinka, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin. Let's hear it too" Bogatyr Symphony"A. Borodin and admire painting Let's take a look at it.
(record sounds " Bogatyrskaya symphony"A. Borodin, the teacher reads an excerpt from the epic)
What different heroes, but they are united in picture one. What do you think? (children's answers)
Willingness to defend the Motherland from enemies.
Who is shown in painting by artist Vasnetsov?
Three hero.
Who is in the center paintings?
Ilya Muromets.
hero.
In the center paintings- the peasant son of Ilya Muromets, the oldest and wisest. He sits on a black horse, holding the reins and a spear with his left hand, and covering his eyes from the light with his right. Pay attention, on his hand, attached to his forehead, hangs a mace - an ancient Russian weapon - an iron rod thickened at the end. It must be incredibly heavy indeed. But the artist, emphasizing the power and strength of Ilya Muromets, shows that hero as if he does not even notice its gravity, peering intently beyond the horizon.
Who is to the left of Ilya Muromets?
Nikitich.
Tell about it.
To the left of Ilya Muromets - Dobrynya Nikitich. He is on a white horse, whose red harness richly decorated, ready to hold his sword.
Who is to the right of Ilya Muromets?
heroes.
On the right is the youngest knight - Alyosha Popovich, a cunning, skilled warrior and a master of playing the harp. In his hands is a graceful tight bow and arrow. So, through weapons and clothing details, the painter emphasizes the characters of his heroes.
Where is each one looking? heroes?
What is guarded heroes?
Russian land, its borders.
Chief friend the horse was a hero
Bridle, stirrups, saddle.
heroes
Physical education minute
Bogatyr, He such is: Show "strongman".
He is strong, he is healthy
He shot from a bow, Imitate movements.
Accurately threw a club,
Standing on the border
Vigilantly, vigilantly observed
We grow up, look, Children from a sitting position slowly rise
Let's become like heroes!
Continuation of the conversation picture« Bogatyrs» .
Questions:
1. How dressed heroes?
The body is wearing chain mail - an iron shirt.
Why is she needed heroes?
She protected heroes from spear blows, arrows and sword. The chain mail weighed 7 kilograms.
2. What is worn on the heads heroes?
Helmet. In Rus' it was called a shell. The helmet was made of metal, it was decorated with an ornament, a pattern. And who was richer, decorated the helmet with gilding, silver plates. The helmet protected the warrior's head - hero from blows.
3. What other armor do you have heroes?
Shields, bow, quiver with arrows, flail, club, ax, sword - mace. The sword was the main weapon of the warriors - heroes and warriors - warriors at that time in Rus'. The sword was also called a mace. The sword was a Russian weapon. An oath was sworn on swords, the sword was revered. It was an expensive weapon, it was inherited from father to son. The sword was worn in a sheath so that it would not rust (showing a sword and scabbard made of paper and thick cardboard, decorated with ornaments; the sword is covered with foil). The sword hilt and scabbard were decorated with ornaments and patterns. The patterns on the scabbard and hilt of the sword were applied not only for the purpose of decoration, but also in order to help their owner, who wields the sword.
Behind mighty backs heroes the free world of Russian nature: wide feather-grass steppes, dark spruce and pine forests, softly outlined hills and gray stones, sung in fairy tales and epics. Walking through the expanses of the wind, ruffling horse manes, and stern warriors stand unshakably in the way of enemies.
Red is often used in folk art. That's Vasnetsov painted in red:(children's answers). Dobrynya's horse has a shield and harness, Ilya has a spear, Alyosha has a shirt. Red color is combined with white, gray, black and gives picture solemn, a good mood.
Now look at the landscape around heroes. Describe it. (children's answers)
Hilly meadows, forests, small fir trees, pines - native trees of the Russian land, show that heroes stand on their native land, guarding its peace. Small trees emphasize strength heroes.
Meadows, hills are drawn with a simple, smooth line, painting elongated in breadth - these expressive means convey space. And the white, swirling clouds, the dark green color of the hills - this contrast gives greatness picture, some kind of ugliness.
Myself Vasnetsov spoke about the painting: "My picture - Dobrynya, Ilya, Alyosha Popovich on heroic when leaving, they notice in the field whether there is a enemy somewhere, whether someone is being offended somewhere.
What a wonderful painting. It contains all the strength and kindness of the Russian people.
Questions:
Who is shown in painting by artist Vasnetsov?
Three hero.
Who is in the center paintings?
Ilya Muromets.
How did you guess that this is Ilya Muromets?
He is the oldest, mightiest, wisest and most experienced hero.
Who is to the left of Ilya Muromets?
Nikitich.
Tell about it.
Who is to the right of Ilya Muromets?
Alesha Popovich. He is the youngest of these heroes.
What qualities did Alyosha Popovich possess?
Cunning, ingenuity, audacity.
Where is each one looking? heroes?
They look into the distance, not to see where the enemies are.
What is guarded heroes?
Russian land, its borders.
Chief friend the horse was a hero, horse. What is on a horse is called a harness. What applies here?
Bridle, stirrups, saddle.
A thousand years have passed, guys, and we are proud of the deeds and exploits of these knights - heroes: Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich, Mikula Selyaninovich and others. If the storytellers did not tell epics, we would not know about them.
Listening to a musical work by A. Pakhmutova « Our heroic strength» .
I see a young messenger
Yes, there is no face on him ...
Creation of a problem situation.
Messenger: Oh, guys, the trouble happened -
The earth shook from the enemies.
They attacked with a black cloud -
Both adults and children are tortured.
Who will protect our land?
Free from the enemy?
Are you guys ready to defend our Russian land? Then great trials await us. Are you ready to overcome them?
Who wants to be Alyosha Popovich, Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich? And their heroic horses?
(children choose a character, substitute items)
When "revive" - remember the character of the selected character; they try to convey it by facial expressions, gestures, posture; use substitute items (bow, spear, sword, shield).
Painting drawn up against the background of a white-green screen (clouds, hills).
The ground seems to smoke a little.
The first dawn rises
Stopped at the border
Three horsemen hero.
Horses froze among the steppes
Good Russian lands!
And our days from under the palm of your hand
Can't you see Ilya Muromets?
Independent work children:
Group 1 - draws a portrait hero
Group 2 - makes an application
3 group - sculpts
The guys do the work to the song « Heroic strength» (music by A. Pakhmutova, lyrics by N. Dobronravov).
TOTAL. Is our lesson about Russian heroes came to an end, and we will remember what covenant we left heroes to us, his descendants:
- Protect your homeland, protect it. Protect the weak, the poor, the elderly and children, Be strong, brave, courageous, courageous. Love your native land, your people, your country and homeland.
And strong, mighty heroes
in glorious Rus'!
Do not jump enemies on our Earth!
Don't trample them on horses
Russian land
Do not overshadow our red sun!
Rus' stands for a century - it does not stagger!
And it will stand for centuries - it will not move!
And the legends of old
We must not forget.
Glory to Russian antiquity!
Glory to the Russian side!
"Traditions of ancient times" came to life thanks to the brush of Viktor Vasnetsov. Bogatyrs and princesses went beyond book lines and illustrations. The artist grew up in the wilderness of the Ural forests on Russian fairy tales that sounded to the crackle of a torch. And already being in St. Petersburg, he did not forget his childhood memories and transferred those magical stories to the canvas. We examine fabulous canvases with Natalia Letnikova.
Alyonushka
A barefoot, simple-haired girl on the banks of a forest river. With inexpressible sadness, he looks into a deep pool. The sad picture was inspired by a fairy tale about sister Alyonushka and brother Ivanushka, and he painted an orphan from a peasant girl from the Akhtyrka estate, adding, as he himself admitted, the features of Verusha Mamontova, the daughter of a famous Moscow philanthropist. Nature echoes girlish sadness, intertwining with the poetry of folk tales.
Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf
Gloomy dark forest. And a gray wolf, quite expected for such a thicket. Only instead of an evil grin, the predator has human eyes, and on it are two riders. Cautious Ivanushka carefully holds Elena the Beautiful, submissive to fate. We recognize not only the plot of the Russian fairy tale, but also the image of the girl. The artist endowed the fairy-tale heroine with real features - Savva Mamontov's niece, Natalia.
V.M. Vasnetsov. Alyonushka. 1881
V.M. Vasnetsov. Ivan Tsarevich on a gray wolf. 1889
Bogatyrs
Viktor Vasnetsov. Bogatyrs. 1898
Vasnetsov devoted 20 years of his life to one of the most famous paintings in Russian painting. "Bogatyrs" became the artist's largest painting. The size of the canvas is almost 3 by 4.5 meters. Bogatyrs are a collective image. Ilya, for example, is a peasant Ivan Petrov, and a blacksmith from Abramtsevo, and a cab driver from the Crimean bridge. At the heart of the picture are the childish feelings of the author. “So it was before my eyes: hills, space, heroes. Wonderful dream of childhood.
Song of Joy and Sorrow
Viktor Vasnetsov. Sirin and Alkonost. A song of joy and sorrow. 1896
Alkonost and Sirin. Two half-birds with ghostly promises of a cloudless paradise in the future and with regrets about the lost paradise. Vasnetsov embellished sexless birds, giving mythical creatures beautiful female faces and rich crowns. Sirin's singing is so sad that the leaves of a century-old tree turned black, the delight of an alkonost can make you forget about everything ... if you linger on the picture.
Carpet plane
Viktor Vasnetsov. Carpet plane. 1880
Painting for the Railroad Administration. Not a train, not even a postal troika. Carpet plane. This is how Victor Vasnetsov responded to the request of Savva Mamontov to paint a picture for the industrialist's new project. The fabulous flying machine, a symbol of victory over space, puzzled the members of the board and inspired the artist himself. Mamontov bought the painting, and Vasnetsov discovered a new world for himself. In which there is no place for the ordinary.
Three princesses of the underworld
Viktor Vasnetsov. Three princesses of the underworld. 1884
Gold, copper and coal. Three riches that are hidden in the bowels of the earth. Three fabulous princesses are the embodiment of earthly blessings. Proud and haughty gold, curious copper and timid coal. Princesses are mistresses of mountain mines, accustomed to command people. There are two pictures with such a plot at once. On one of them in the corner - as petitioners, the figures of two men obsequiously looking into beautiful cold faces.
Koschei the Deathless
Viktor Vasnetsov. Koschei the Deathless. 1917–1926
Rich mansions with chocolate, red and gold hues. The luxury of brocade and rare woods is a worthy frame for heavy chests with treasures, and the main treasure that Koshchei is not given in his hands is a young beauty. The girl is interested in the sword, which, however, cannot defeat Koshchei. The image of the main fairy-tale villain Viktor Vasnetsov wrote for nine years. Chronologically, the picture was the last for the artist.
Bogatyrs. (Three heroes) - Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. 1898. Oil on canvas. 295.3x446
The painting by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov "Heroes" is rightfully considered a real folk masterpiece and a symbol of Russian art. The picture was created in the second half of the 19th century, when the theme of folk culture, Russian folklore, was very popular among them. For many artists, this hobby turned out to be short-lived, but for Vasnetsov, folklore themes became the basis of all creativity.
The painting "Bogatyrs" depicts three Russian heroes: Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich - the famous heroes of folk epics.
The gigantic figures of heroes and their horses, located in the foreground of the picture, symbolize the strength and power of the Russian people. This impression is also facilitated by the impressive dimensions of the painting - 295x446 cm.
The artist worked on the creation of this painting for almost 30 years. In 1871, the first sketch of the plot was created in pencil, and since then the artist has been fascinated by the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating this picture. In 1876, the famous sketch was made with the basis of the compositional solution already found. Work on the painting itself lasted from 1881 to 1898. The finished painting was bought by P. Tretyakov, and it still adorns the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
In the center of the picture is Ilya Muromets, the people's favorite, the hero of Russian epics. Not everyone knows that Ilya Muromets is not a fairy-tale character, but a real historical person. The story of his life and feats of arms are real events. Subsequently, having completed his work on the protection of the homeland, he became a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery. He was numbered among the saints. Vasnetsov knew these facts, creating the image of Ilya Muromets. "Mater man Ilya Muromets" - says the epic. And in the picture of Vasnetsov, we see a mighty warrior and, at the same time, an ingenuous open person. It combines gigantic strength and generosity. "And the horse under Ilya is a fierce beast," the legend continues. The powerful figure of a horse depicted in the picture with a massive metal chain instead of a harness testifies to this.
Dobrynya Nikitich, according to popular legend, was a very educated and courageous person. Many miracles are associated with his personality, for example, the charmed armor on his shoulders, the magic sword-hoarder. Dobrynya is depicted as in epics - majestic, with subtle, noble features, emphasizing his culture, education, resolutely taking out his sword from its scabbard with a readiness to rush into battle, defending his homeland.
Alyosha Popovich is young and slim compared to his comrades. He is depicted with a bow and arrows in his hands, but the harp attached to the saddle testifies that he is not only a fearless warrior, but also a harpist, songwriter, and merry fellow. There are many such details in the picture that characterize the images of its characters.
Horse teams, clothes, ammunition are not fictitious. The artist saw such samples in museums and read their descriptions in historical literature. The artist skillfully conveys the state of nature, as if foreshadowing the onset of danger. But the heroes are a reliable and powerful force of the defenders of their native land.
