Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (Виктор Васнецов) is a famous Russian painter, founder of the fairy-tale epic genre . The master created several versions of The Knight at the Crossroads. The first one was completed in 1877 and is significantly different from the subsequent ones. “The knight at the Crossroads” («Витязь на распутье») is an oil on canvas of 167 by 308 cm and was completed in 1882. It is now in the St. Petersburg State Russian Museum.
This is one of the philosophical works of the painter, and it encourages the viewer not only to contemplate, but also to think. And to think not only about the fate of the hero, but also about the deeper and eternal problems of good and evil, justice and deceit But also about the problem of choosing a future path in life, which probably disturb every person.
The first pencil sketches of “The knight at the Crossroads” appeared in the early 1870s. His “Forerunner” can be considered the picture of Viktor Mikhailovich “Warrior in a helmet with chain mail”, painted by him in 1877.
“The Knight at the Crossroads” is a painting by the famous Russian artist Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. His inspiration for the creation of “The Knight at the Crossroads” was the old Russian epic “Ilya Muromets and the Robbers”: Once on the path of the hero there was a stone with a curious inscription.
According to the prediction, if Ilya turns in one direction – he will be killed, in the other – he will marry, in the third – he will gain wealth.
The man decided to try his luck and drove along the road that was supposed to bring him death. He met forty robbers, but managed to cope with them. Then he returned to the stone and wrote that the prediction did not come true. The same happened with other tracks. It seemed that the hero managed to deceive fate itself …
Ahead, the artist depicted a black cloud which can be a warning to Ilya Muromets of danger. But then the sky is clear and a little pinkish, probably the dawn, giving us hope. It might show that the path will be difficult and dangerous, but still lead to good. Probably, the knight will still decide to go ahead and defeat all dangers.
Initially, the author conceived to draw “The Knight at the Crossroads” facing the viewer. However, later Vasnetsov changed his mind and focused not on the key character, but on his confusion and difficulty in choosing a path.
In front of the hero there is a stone on which it is written that if you go straight, it is impossible for anyone to stay alive. Because many years have passed, all other inscriptions on the stone have been erased. Ilya Muromets understands that he has only one path that will lead him to death.
Usually fairy tales and epics talk about three roads that are offered to the traveler to choose from. However, on his canvas, Vasnetsov decided to deviate from this important point. With this technique, he visually strengthened the disturbing plot of the picture, leaving the epic hero without an alternative choice of path.
Almost immediately behind the stone, solid earth turns into unsteady swampy soil. In the future, there is nothing that could inspire gratifying hope. There is a narrow path that goes to the left, winding between boulders. It leads to no one knows where and gradually dissolves. The prophetic stone says nothing about it. There is no third road, as it should be in fairy tales.
In the center of the work is Ilya Muromets. He is known as the most courageous and strong hero in Russia. His back is turned to us, so we do not see his face. His strong body is now relaxed and his shoulders slumped as if he had traveled for a very long time and was tired. We can see that he did not rush his horse across the wide field since only the tips of his boots were inserted into the stirrups. The hero is dressed in battle armor. Behind him is a large heavy round shield. A brown leather quiver, decorated with metal decorative overlays, is attached to the belt. The quiver is full of arrows. A massive mace hangs from the side. In his right hand, the knight holds a long, sharp spear on a red shaft. It is lowered with the tip down, the slightly bent arm of the hero weakly squeezes it. The warrior is calm and self-confident, ready even for an unexpected meeting with the enemy. On his feet he has high light green boots with a gilded edging at the top of the top.
The whole image speaks of his meditation, the figure of the hero is majestic and powerful. Thoughtfulness is visible in the bowed head. His spear is also tilted down. The author shows the unity between him and his brave friend, the horse, because despite the fact that the horse stands confidently, its head is tilted.
The spear that the warrior holds in his hand deserves special attention. The canvas depicts an infantry spear which is intended for foot soldiers. The riders were armed with cavalry. It is noteworthy that in previous studies there was no such feature. Perhaps the rider is ready to lose his horse at any moment, and therefore it is the infantry spear in his hand.
The heroic horse is a match for the hero himself. It is strong, sleek, with a thick mane hanging almost to the ground, a silky tail, and powerful legs that firmly step on the ground. And now he meekly and patiently stands, with its head down, as if it was making a difficult decision. or maybe waiting for the decision of his master.
The terrain is depicted as swampy, there is almost no vegetation, stones are also scattered in the most gloomy tones.
Bones of people and animals are scattered across the field. And right in front of the stone we see the skulls of a man and a horse. Apparently, at one time they decided to cross the line on which the stone-prophet stands, but the prediction came true. Now black crows are circling over the field in anticipation of new prey.
The beautiful picture captures the moment of doom. At that moment, the knight does not yet know how his journey will end, and whether what the inscription on the stone predicts will come true. The picturesque plot of Vasnetsov’s creation fascinates with its fabulousness, tragedy, faith in the triumph of good over evil and darkness. and let us wonder if fate determines the fate of a person, or if we are responsible for our own lives.
I hope you enjoyed this painting as much as I did
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