Heroes

Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov said picture"Heroes"it's his commitment to the people, gratitude to him for what "grown, raised, armed with the ability to". The idea he had in 1871. It sketched with a pencil sketch. Five years later in Paris he repeated the pattern already in paint. Workshop to him at this moment entered Vasily Polenovand admired it. Vasnetsov also generously offered, they say, take yourself, just like that. Polenov was indignant that Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov so easily throwing away such wonderful works of art, but the artist is not seen at the moment is nothing special about the etude. Polenov proposed the now widely known a deal: "You give me your word that this will be a thumbnail sketch to the big picture. When I write to her, give me this sketch, but not before". Writing of his three heroes, Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov Polenov ended up giving the sketch.

The artist admitted that he is attracted to ancient Rus:"Nature, you know, the spirit of the Russian people when he is in front of the forces of nature, before an enemy standing alone and no one protection is not requested". In the film "the Heroes" Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov was able to fully reflect this character. A first approach to the topic of the master made in the work "Knight at the crossroads".

On a huge canvas depicts the Outpost. Looking at the three colossal equestrian figure in a painting by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov "Heroes," inevitably recall the epic: horse runs – the ground trembles. In the center of the composition sits on a huge black horse Ilya Muromets. Build it strong and powerful. Putting a hand to his forehead, Ilya Muromets overlooks the countryside. Look calm and confident, and thoroughness, and tenacity (nothing hidden from this view) and generosity (powerful can afford it) and simplicity – easy family this hero, comes from the people and, therefore, very loved by the people. In one hand he has a spear and shield, another with wrist hangs a heavy Mace on it says "club damask forty pounds". But the hand of Ilya Muromets does not bend under the weight, like a bracelet which, not forty pounds on her. Among the three heroes in the picture he is the chieftain, the chief of all. The horse under him to become "the fierce beast" it is called in the epics. As a harness – heavy metal chain, only it is possible to curb a restive horse.

To the left of his painting "Bogatyrs" another legendary hero of Russian bylinas – Dobrynya Nikitich. He is of noble birth, which can be seen by its delicate chain and shimmering, shining diamonds but rubies, scarlet shield, and exquisite fine harness handsome white horse. In the epics he is represented by man Mature, sedate, noble. He's older comrades. So he painted and Vasnetsov. It is seen that Nikitich has great power, but the impatience in it, it is experienced and prudent. His hand on the painting "Bogatyrs" half pulled the sword from its sheath, he was ready at any moment to grab them and, you can be sure, delay will not allow. By the way, sword kladenets Dobrynia in the epics appears as a charmed life, taken from the dragon.

To the right in the picture of Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov on brown horse Alyosha Popovich, the youngest of the three heroes. In his hand a bow and arrows, and hang on the side of the harp is not only epic characters can fight. Alyosha easy to imagine the humourist, a songwriter, his image is very lyrical, but his strength is in the sharpness and agility. Aleshin horse nibbling the grass, seemingly unconcerned. But thanks to his pajarete and ease in battle, he will be quick and swift like lightning.

Specific epic images are quite recognizable, but the three heroes in the painting seem not just characters of the myth, and the personification of the protective and creative power of the Russian. Vasnetsov chose an interesting angle – the audience look at the characters of the canvas from the bottom up. Due to this, the figures of the three heroes in the picture seem huge, but the scenery is not just background on which they are written. Behind them the land which they are willing to defend, which may feel safe, yet she has such guards.

Ilya Muromets for a picture of "Heroes" Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov Abramtsevo wrote with peasant coachman Ivan Petrov. The prototype of the young Alyosha Popovich was Andrew, the son of philanthropist Savva Mamontov's estate in Abramtsevo in the summer was visiting Vasnetsov with his family. But Dobrynska for the artist almost family hero. Art historian Nikolai Prakhov stated: "The face of a movie is a collective type Vasnetsov — father, uncle, and partly of the author". Though it is not the only version, not the less popular one according to which Dobrynya written Polenov. But with the horses all clearly – they are all from the stable of Savva Mamontov.

Worked on the painting "Bogatyrs" by Vasnetsov for a very long time. Moreover, when the finished work was purchased for the gallery Pavel Tretyakov, the artist often used to go there with the palette in hand – to make any more edits. His favorite picture was Alenushkaand that's the most important Victor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov considered "Heroes". Moreover, they almost abandoned the painting of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev. In fact, even refused, primarily because he feared the picture of "Heroes" to score. However, in the end all the same, and the Cathedral was painted, and the canvas is finished (read more in the biography).

Author: Alain Esaulova