Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads". History of creation and description

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Russian artist Vasnetsov Viktor Mikhailovich is considered the founder of the "Russian style" of painting. This style was born at the intersection of the historical genre, folklore traditions and symbolism trends. Vasnetsov's brushes belong to canvases illustrating the plots of fairy tales and epics. The rich Russian culture and original folk art have become a generous source of inspiration for the artist.

Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads". Creation history

The end of the 70s of XIX became for V. M. Vasnetsov a turning point. He resolutely departed from genre realistic painting and graphics, from which he began his career. At this time, he was captured by the idea of finding an accurate pictorial embodiment of the characteristic elements of epic poetry. Especially his attention was attracted by the colorful images of Russian heroes.

During these years he conceived the painting "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 Wanderers in 1878.

FinalVasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads" received its appearance in 1882. It is in this version that she is known to the general public today.

Comparative analysis of two options

Comparison chart

Differences in the final version	Symbolics
In the first case, the Knight is turned to face the viewer, and in the second case, his back.	The viewer's attention has been shifted from the facial expressions of the hero to the posture of the rider and horse. In epics, the burrows of horses always copy the habits of riders.
Reduced space behind the hero.	It doesn't matter where the traveler came from.
Increased space behind the stone.	More signs of coming danger.
The sky has become more menacing. In the first case - a soft sunset, in the second - impending clouds.	Another sign of danger awaiting.
The spear has become red and points to the skulls in the final version.	Red is the color of blood and aggression.
The stone has become older and moss has appeared on it.	According to the idea of the author, moss covers two alternative safe options from the eyes of the traveler.

Thus, by making a number of amendments to the painting "The Knight at the Crossroads", Vasnetsov made the painting more dramatic and expressive. This evokes more emotions in the viewer.

Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads". Description

In the center of the canvas is the figure of a hero on a beautiful white horse. The rider stopped atreverie in front of an old, moss-covered stone. The inscription on it portends imminent death to those who continue along this road.

The Knight is in combat attire. He has a forged helmet on his head, a spear in his hands, a shield and a quiver with arrows behind his back. However, his posture speaks of great fatigue. Therefore, he hesitates, not daring to fight again.

The posture and appearance of the horse confirm the assumption that travelers have not known rest for many days. He bowed his head wearily. His tail and mane are not developed by either the wind or the fighting passion. They hang limply, showing extreme fatigue.

Made of detail

Vasnetsov's painting "The Knight at the Crossroads" anticipates the emergence of a psychological landscape, a "mood landscape" in painting. A menacing sunset sky, randomly scattered boulders, human remains and crows circling in anticipation of new prey - all this adds to the tragedy of the situation.

The stone deserves special attention. V. M. Vasnetsov emphasized 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 in only one direction, while the other two promised we alth and happiness. The author deliberately erased and covered with moss part of the inscription in order to put his hero in a situation as tragic as possible.

You can try to make out the text of the inscription on the presented photo. “The Knight at the Crossroads” is a painting on which the author has been working for almost 10 years. This is one of the top works of V. M. Vasnetsova.