Fresco "The Baptism of Russia" by VM Vasnetsov: description. Fresco "The Baptism of Prince Vladimir"

The fresco "Baptism of Rus" is one of the main religious works of Russian painting of the XIX century. The master portrayed a great historical event, which will remain forever in the memory of people.

Russian artist V. M. Vasnetsov

Victor was born in a poor family of a village priest in 1848. The place of his birth - Vyatka province - influenced later on the formation of his creative worldview. There he graduated first spiritual school, and then seminary. The young man showed interest in art since childhood, so he wanted to devote his further life to drawing. In 1868 Vasnetsov entered the Academy of Arts, located in St. Petersburg.

At the end of the school in 1874 a young man participates in the exhibition of the Wanderers, travels to Paris at the invitation of I. Repin, and then moves to Moscow. Creativity of the artist is gradually filled with stories taken from the folk epic: epics, legends and legends. In the future, he will gain worldwide fame, and his paintings - "Alyonushka", "Knight at the Crossroads", "Heroes" - will be known and loved not only by Russian people, but also by the inhabitants of Europe.

Religious works in the artist's work

Once in the Abramtsevo community, where Vasnetsov was, it was decided to build a church in the village. Victor volunteered to paint the choir, in addition, he painted the image of the Virgin, as well as Sergius of Radonezh for the church iconostasis. Knowledge of Orthodox symbols helped Vasnetsov to create paintings. The artist did not just paint the walls of the temples. He was able to combine in his works pagan and Christian beliefs, thus affecting the consciousness of the people.

Victor was brought up in an atmosphere of profound religiosity, and this could not but affect his work. In 1885, Vasnetsov began to paint the Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev. His fresco "The Baptism of Russia" was created for centuries and never ceases to please the eyes of the Orthodox who visit the church. According to the artist's sketches, paintings were made for the Church of the Savior on Blood in St. Petersburg, as well as for Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia and many other churches.

The painting of V. M. Vasnetsov in the Vladimir Cathedral

The great Russian master before the beginning of the work signed a contract, in which he confirmed that he undertakes to do everything necessary for two years. He could not keep his word, but the painting of the church, which lasted from 1885 to 1896, turned out to be grandiose. In the cathedral he made out the main nave and the apse.

Vasnetsov depicted the events of the New and Old Testaments, various biblical characters on the walls of the church, decorated her vaults with ornaments. He fully realized the main idea of the interior decoration of the cathedral - spiritual comprehension and contemplation of the religious history of Russia. The fresco "The Baptism of Rus" is a confirmation of these words.

The Importance of Epiphany for the Russian Land

In 988, on August 1, Prince Vladimir, who ruled in Kiev, baptized Rus. This was done for a number of reasons, both political and cultural. First, a single religion - Christianity - contributed to the cohesive state of the Slavs. Secondly, it helped develop the following forms of culture: architecture, painting, writing - all this came to Russia from Byzantium. Thirdly, Christianity preached love and mercy to others, the patience of their shortcomings and humility. With his acceptance of the hearts of people, they became purer and kinder.

So in place of the pagan worldview came the Christian, which gradually supplanted the mythological ideas of the people about polytheism, in return offering faith in a single Creator and Creator. A special emphasis was placed on the moral development of man. The baptism of Ancient Rus and its significance can be considered a key for Eastern Europe, as it received a rich heritage that eventually became part of the spiritual culture of society.

Fresco "The Baptism of Rus"

Vasnetsov painted the walls of the St. Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev. One of the most memorable works was the painting "The Baptism of Rus." The fresco was written by him around 1895-1896. The central figure on it is Prince Vladimir, clothed in rich brocaded robes embroidered with gold. He prayerfully raises his hands to heaven, asking God for blessing for the Baptism of Rus. People of different ages, among whom there are both representatives of the nobility, and the common people, are waiting for the fulfillment of the rite.

They are all dressed in white robes - a symbol of purification from sins. Someone is already baptizing the priest, immersing himself in the waters of the Dnieper, someone stands and prays next to the prince. Above, a white transparent cloud is depicted, from where the light of divine grace flows on the assembled people. Though there everything is slightly blurry, but it is clear that people are happy in heaven for people taking part in the sacrament. The fresco "Baptism of Rus" evokes awe and a sense of God's greatness for all who have ever seen it.

The Need for the Sacrament of Epiphany

This ceremony cleanses a person from all his sins and allows him to enter the Kingdom of Heaven in the future. Children are baptized according to the faith of their parents. People are born with original sin, which they receive in the "inheritance" of Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God. In the course of baptism, a person is purified from this.

He who takes part in the rite, being in adulthood, receives the remission of all sins made before the performance of the sacrament. Believers in the heart feel the importance and depth of the event. It is not without reason that Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov painted the painting "The Baptism of Rus." The fresco "Baptism of Rus" for children will be especially close and understandable if the parents tell them how they once participated in this sacramental sacrament.

Fresco "The Baptism of Prince Vladimir"

After the Grand Prince of Kiev wanted the Church of Constantinople to baptize him, this rite was performed in Russia. At that time Byzantium required military assistance, and our state expressed its readiness to render it. For this service, Vladimir wanted to marry Anna - the sister of the emperors Basil and Constantine. For the Greeks, such a proposal was humiliating, but they had to agree to it, however, only if the Kiev ruler first took part in the sacrament.

In the memory of the people there will always remain a fresco "The Baptism of Prince Vladimir". VM Vasnetsov portrayed him in a stone font, where a wonderful ceremony was performed. Nearby is the priest. Representatives of the local nobility and soldiers observe what is happening. They will have to be baptized after the prince. Around the head of Vladimir, the artist painted a halo. This means that his great mission of the Baptism of Rus was marked by God, and he was elevated to the rank of saints.

The general features of the works of VM Vasnetsov

Pictures that bear the imprint of this artist's brush are always distinguished by their unusual color, filled with the Russian spirit. Every detail of any of his works is thought out and logically fits into the general plot. Landscapes Vasnetsov differ in their consistency.

In the paintings there is not an abundance of bright colors, their colors, on the contrary, are transparent and pure, which creates a feeling for the viewer of the flight and closeness to the palaces of God. The faces of people on his canvases are mostly devoid of rough and sharp features, they have a certain softness and tenderness. "The Baptism of Rus" - a fresco by V. Vasnetsov, looking at which, one can understand how believing the person was an artist.