Vasnetsov Viktor Mikhailovich is a wonderful Russian artist. He has no equal in the skill of writing historical and folklore painting.

The whole world knows such of his creations as “Bogatyrs”, “The Knight at the Crossroads”, “Alyonushka”. Painting "Ivan Tsarevich on Gray Wolf"The artist came out like a fairy tale come to life on canvas. It was written according to the plot folk tale when you look at her, you immediately remember your childhood and wonderful stories O fairy tale characters. The main characters look as if they are about to step out of the picture and rush into the distance.

Painting by V.M. Vasnetsov “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf”: history of creation

It happens that artists prepare to paint their works long before the start of work, look at the nature, prepare themselves, so to speak, psychologically, but it also happens quite the opposite - spontaneously. This is exactly how Vasnetsov’s painting “Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf” was created, unplanned. In 1889, the artist was destined to work in Kyiv, where he painted the Vladimir Cathedral. Viktor Mikhailovich loved everything folk, so the plot of the picture was based on an excerpt from the well-known fairy tale created by the people, “Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf.” For the sake of its creation, the artist put aside his work in the cathedral. And, as it turned out, it was not in vain.

This work is one of the best in Russian fine art. On the canvas we see Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful on the Gray Wolf, they are rushing through a terrible forest, running away from their pursuers, flowering trees and a happy future await them ahead.

The main characters of the picture

The painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” introduces us to its main characters: Tsarevich, Beautiful Elena and their faithful friend Gray Wolf.

Ivan Tsarevich, sitting astride the Wolf, carefully and at the same time tightly hugs his beloved Elena the Beautiful. He is dressed in an expensive brocade caftan, belted with a green belt, and has patterned black gloves on his hands. The handsome image of the Tsarevich is complemented by a red cap on his head and red boots. The main character is very serious, with anxious eyes he peers into the distance, worrying about whether his pursuers are catching up with the fugitives. After all, he has his happiness in his arms, which he will not give to anyone in the world. A sword is visible behind Ivan Tsarevich’s back, this suggests that the young man is always ready to fight for his love with a sword in his hands.

Elena the Beautiful sits next to her savior. The long hair of the Russian beauty flutters in the wind, which shows that it is moving at high speed. The girl is dressed in a beautiful silk dress of light blue color with gold trim on the bottom and sleeves. Elena has pearl beads around her neck, she is wearing beautiful morocco boots, and a cap with precious stones is on her head. The beauty bowed her head to her lover's chest, looking thoughtful. The girl humbly holds her hands in front of her, this indicates that the fugitive has entrusted her life to the Tsarevich. Vasnetsov wrote Elena the Beautiful based on his niece, Natalya Mamontova.

The Gray Wolf is depicted rushing forward with great speed, this can be seen throughout his entire image: his ears are flattened, his tongue has fallen out of his mouth, his eyes are full of anxiety and determination, there is no anger in them, his long fluffy tail flutters in the wind. Strong paws hovered in the air before the next jump; he must jump over the swamp in front of the heroes. It is clear that the Gray Wolf is tired and is holding on with all his strength to deliver the precious burden home.

“Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf”: description of Vasnetsov’s painting

The landscape depicted on the canvas emphasizes the anxiety of the fugitives. They are racing against the backdrop of the morning dawn, in front of them is a dark swamp, huge trees around, and the gray-purple sky can be seen a little through them. But this whole threatening picture is smoothed out by a blooming apple tree in front and beautiful marsh water lilies. The apple tree reminds us of the beginning of the fairy tale, because it was with the golden apples that the adventures of the main characters began.

The painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” perfectly reflects the mood of the characters. They are worried, but at the same time full of hope for a bright future. The white flowers of the apple tree are in perfect harmony with Elena’s outfit. Blooming tree- a symbol of the beginning of something new and beautiful - a new life, new love... The picture seems to flicker with a mysterious light, the audience gets the impression of the presence of a fabulous miracle and magic.

Viktor Vasnetsov created a living fairy tale on canvas

The painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” once again shows the enormous talent of Viktor Vasnetsov. The master has placed the characters in such a way that they appear to have come to life. It seems that in just a moment the Gray Wolf, jumping out of the canvas, will rush into the distance along with his friends.

A fabulous, beautiful painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf”! The description of Vasnetsov’s painting is worthy of attention; it depicts the struggle of two forces. The contrast of dark gloomy colors with light ones reflects the confrontation between good and evil. Behind the heroes is complete darkness, surrounded by darkness, which opens up before the fugitives, and ahead is a swamp, but not a gloomy one, but with water lilies and a blooming apple tree. Everything taken together shows the victory of good over evil.

Fairytale canvas in given time located in the State Tretyakov Gallery. Such masterpieces of art must be carefully preserved so that many more generations can admire these works of artists from God.

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 escape pursuit by rushing through dense forest thickets astride the Gray Wolf. The Tsarevich peers anxiously into the surrounding forest - if the fugitives are overtaken, inevitable separation awaits them. At the same time, he confidently and tightly holds Elena, who has practically submitted to fate and is frightenedly clinging 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 fairy tales Russian fine arts. This painting was painted by the artist in 1889 during the period when he was working on the painting of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv. In order to create the painting, 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 pose 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 repeatedly won victories in confrontations with the enemy, the Tsarevich inspires respect and trust. He carefully holds the hand of Elena the Beautiful, tired from the long and dangerous road.

The figure of the Gray Wolf is of particular interest to the viewer. This fabulous predator has human eyes, which means 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 fairy-tale 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 where no man has ever set foot. One gets the feeling that the entire group of heroes seems to be floating above a swamp, surrounded by ominous forest thickets.

The wolf vigilantly peers into the space ahead, choosing a path. The open mouth and protruding tongue indicate that he is struggling to overcome fatigue and is holding on with all his strength. The wolf's paws are spread wide, and 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 brocade caftan, belted with a green sash. A sword is visible behind his back. The Tsarevich's caftan decorated with gold harmonizes perfectly with Elena's exquisite robe, made of blue silk. Combination of gold and blue flowers V Slavic mythology indicates a connection with the world of magic and miracles.

Elena the Beautiful personifies a Russian beauty with long hair brown hair. Her neck is decorated with pearl beads, and her feet are wearing morocco boots. On the princess's head is an exquisite headdress decorated with precious stones.

The artist masterfully conveys through pictorial means the material of the main characters’ clothes. Looking at the canvas, the viewer feels the heaviness of brocade, velvet, morocco and gold embroidery.

Elena herself is sad, but her decoration looks elegant and joyful. This one is extraordinary feminine image was written by Vasnetsov from his niece, Natalya Anatolyevna Mamontova. The main emphasis, as in the case of “Alenushka,” Vasnetsov did not place on external features, but on the mood and posture of the heroine.

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

Composition Analysis

The vertical composition of the painting evokes in the viewer a feeling of impending danger and alarming uncertainty. The main characters seem to be enclosed in a red quadrangle: the Tsarevich’s red hat, red scabbard, red boots and the red tongue of the wolf. It is the color red that helps create the feeling of approaching danger.

The surrounding landscape emphasizes the anxious mood of the fugitives. The action of the picture takes place against the backdrop of the morning dawn, in the foreground the swamp is menacingly dark, and the gray-purple sky is barely visible behind the thick branches of giant trees. The dense forest looks ominous. Huge trees covered with moss stand as an impenetrable wall, but they seem to make way for the good characters of the fairy tale, helping them escape from pursuit.

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

A blooming apple tree also symbolizes the beginning of a new life and love; it instills in the viewer hope that everything will end well. The silvery-white flowers of the tree echo Elena’s outfit and tie the entire color scheme of the picture into a single whole. The canvas is filled with a mysterious shimmer that evokes a feeling of touching a miracle.

Vasnetsov once again proved that he is consummate master 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 with Ivan Tsarevich, with Elena the Beautiful on the way back - he misses the blue forests, sweeps rivers and lakes with his tail...”.

The artist placed 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 Helen the Beautiful and the Tsarevich immerses the viewer in the world of Russian folklore, helping to believe in the triumph of good over evil. Currently, the painting is in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

Viktor Vasnetsov’s painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” is perhaps one of the most folklore works Russian fine arts. The plot of the film is based on the famous Russian folk tale “Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf.” Ivan Tsarevich with Elena the Beautiful, who he stole, flee from pursuit on the Gray Wolf - true friend Ivana. The prince looks around carefully and presses his beloved tightly to his chest. Elena, subdued and indifferent to what was happening, trustingly clung to her savior. She tries not to look around, scared of the chase, dense forest, and even a wolf.

The viewer's special attention is attracted by the Gray Wolf with his human gaze. This unusual character: The gray wolf is a werewolf, a werewolf, as it used to be called. But both in the Russian folk tale and in the painting, his image is positive, full of courage and fidelity.

The gray wolf easily carries his riders away from pursuit. 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, swamp lilies and apple tree flowers 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, the adventure began with 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 silk blue dress complement each other stylistically. And the Gray Wolf is not gray at all, the color of his fur 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.

Dimensions of the painting: 249 x 187 cm.

Material: canvas.

Writing 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 “Bogatyrs”

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

The Russian artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries is known for his canvases of epic historical and Russian patriotic nature. Having started his journey as a painter in the Art Nouveau style, Vasnetsov found his niche and firmly occupied it by writing “Alyonushka”, “Bogatyrs”, “The Knight at the Crossroads”. He was especially good at images filled with Russian folk art. One of the most unique examples of such painting is the painting “Ivan Tsarevich on a Gray Wolf.” The fate of the canvas is extremely interesting.

For the sake of its creation, Viktor Vasnetsov temporarily left the work he was doing in Kyiv, in the Cathedral of St. Vladimir. This happened in 1889. A creative idea suddenly came to the artist, which he hastened to implement. This is how a canvas measuring almost 3 m wide and 2 m high appeared. The work is an illustration of the Russian fairy tale “About Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf.” Ivan Tsarevich picked up Elena the Beautiful, saddled the gray wolf and rushed through the dark forest away from the chase. It is noteworthy that the model for the image of Elena the Beautiful was another painting by Vasnetsov - “Girl with Peaches”, where 5 years earlier he painted Savva Mamontov’s niece, Natalya.

The artist wrote “Ivan Tsarevich” at the creative peak of his artistic career, he was 38 years old. Behind are modernist works that did not particularly resonate with admirers. His fellow painters were also very restrained in their praise. They sometimes spoke coldly and unflatteringly about Vasnetsov’s paintings, not realizing that he put his whole Russian soul into them, calling on them to love the history of their homeland.

The canvas very accurately depicts the action taking place in a Russian fairy tale. Elena the Beautiful leaned on Ivan Tsarevich's shoulder. The prince's gaze is preoccupied and alarmed; he looks back, checking to see if there is a chase. Lovers are afraid that they may be overtaken and separated, but at the same time they feel secure and comfortable in each other’s arms. The wolf runs as fast as he can, so that the princess’s hair flutters as he flies. In the middle of a terrible dense forest, the characters look so contrasting - the princess’s piercing blue dress and flirty boots embroidered with gold, Ivan’s light sand caftan and the gray-brown fur of a huge wolf, who runs in large leaps and tries to save his riders from misfortune.

In a forest filled with gloomy and heavy fantasies, apple tree flowers bloom as a symbol of invincible love and beauty. They are so thin, tender and vulnerable that it seems that the slightest breath and the color will fall off. However, Vasnetsov drew this allegory for a reason; he wanted to enhance the impression of the two lovers and the effect of the approaching chase. The painter succeeded in his plans. “Tsarevich Ivan on the Gray Wolf” is a solid and complete fairy tale plot. Looking at it, you always want to re-read it again and again.

The great Russian Itinerant artist Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov entered the history of world culture as the author of canvases on the themes of Russian epics and fairy tales. The painting “Tsarevich Ivan on the Gray Wolf” is an illustration for the ancient story “Tsarevich Ivan and the Gray Wolf.”

In the foreground there is a swamp with water lilies, an old rickety apple tree with flowering branches. In the center is Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful on the Gray Wolf. The prince carefully hugs his princess. It is clear that he senses danger. The unknown scares him. Ivan is afraid of being chased. There is anxiety on his face, and at the same time he is ready to fight with enemies for his betrothed. Elena the Beautiful is exhausted, exhausted from the galloping, her hands are limply lowered to her knees. The girl trustingly pressed herself against the defender’s chest. The faithful companion of Ivan Tsarevich, the Gray Wolf, overcoming fatigue, quickly rushes forward, carrying riders away from danger. His keen eyes notice the slightest danger. Powerful paws easily overcome the marshy swamp. You can feel how tired he is from his open mouth and protruding tongue. At the same time, the mighty power of the beast is felt.

All heroes are enclosed in a red quadrangle: a red hat, a red scabbard, red boots, the red tongue of Sergo the wolf. This is the color of danger, anxiety. Giant trees also carry danger and anxiety. The mighty forest stands up like an impenetrable wall. It seems like there are villains hiding behind every tree. But before good heroes the enchanted one makes way fairy forest, he comes to the aid of the Tsarevich and his beautiful companion.

The apple tree becomes a symbol of faith in the triumph of justice.

V. M. Vasnetsov is an artist whose work has become one of the pinnacles of Russian art. His best works are in the Tretyakov Gallery.

The painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” was created in 1889 and based on the plot of one of the most famous fairy tales. A window opens wide before us, as if magical world.

The artist paid a lot of attention to the main characters of the picture. Ivan Tsarevich hugs Maple the Beautiful, protecting her as his treasure. She really looks like a jewel: a skullcap strewn with stones, a luxurious brocade outfit. When we look at the canvas, we feel the heaviness of brocade, gold embroidery, velvet and morocco.

The landscape in the picture is very important. Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful, who are escaping on a wolf, are surrounded by evil forces. A dark, dense forest stands before them as an impassable barrier to happiness. The bizarre branches are ominously intertwined, they resemble the bony hands of Baba Yaga. Centuries-old giant trees seem to be approaching the fugitives, and their tenacious paws are about to snatch his precious burden from the prince. Even delicate flowers in this gloomy, gloomy thicket seem insidious and frighten with their unexpected beauty. The artist managed to create a magical landscape, alarming and mysterious.

This picture about Helen the Beautiful and her savior, about love, fidelity and fearlessness immerses us in beautiful world Russian fairy tale, helps to believe in the victory of good over evil. (193 words)

Essay on the painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf”

Folk works are the kindest and most magical things there are for children. Always present in fairy tales brave heroes. In some works for children, animals help people in trouble.

This painting by Vasnetsov illustrates one of the exciting episodes of a Russian folk tale. You can immediately see the forest, in which there are already powerful old trees, through which barely light breaks through and you can see 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; there are a lot of animals and birds in such a place. Against the background 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 are running away from the chase. The wolf knows that not only his own life, but also that of his friends depends on him now.

Vasnetsov portrayed the wolf as strong and huge. Such a dark background can be perceived as a tense chase, the characters are worried. They understand that if they are caught, separation is inevitable. And so fairy-tale heroes They look not only scared, but also saddened. Not only the forest is very gloomy and dark. Among 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 be immediately seen at first glance. Vasilisa is also tender to her chosen one and, out of fear, clung to Ivan, her luxurious long hair loose and disheveled from the wind.

The picture is very rich in 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 bright future.

Essay on the painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” 3rd grade

Looking at the picture, we seem to be immersed in a magical world, along with the main characters of the fairy tale: Ivan Tsarevich and Elena the Beautiful, who are riding the Gray Wolf away from the possessions of the evil king. The wolf rushes as fast as he can so as not to be caught up with him. Ivan Tsarevich anxiously peer into the distance: is there someone chasing them? Will the villain take away his happiness: Elena the Beautiful, who trusted her beloved. The main character has a sword behind his back - the prince is always ready to defend Helen the Beautiful. It can be seen that their path passes through an old forest. The forest is gloomy and scary, it symbolizes the evil forces that surrounded the main characters. The main characters of the work are written in bright light colors - these are good, bright forces. The struggle between good and evil will certainly end with the victory of the former, as all Russian folk tales traditionally end.

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