The Baptism of Russia fresco is one of the main religious works of Russian painting of the 19th century. The master depicted a great historical event that will forever remain in the memory of people.
Russian artist V. M. Vasnetsov
Viktor was born in 1848 into a poor family of a country priest. The place of his birth - the Vyatka province - later influenced the formation of his creative worldview. There he graduated first from a religious school, and then from a seminary. From childhood, the young man showed interest in art, so he wanted to devote his future life to drawing. In 1868, Vasnetsov entered the Academy of Arts, located in St. Petersburg.
After graduating from an educational institution in 1874, the young man participates in the exhibition of the Wanderers, goes to Paris at the invitation of I. Repin, and then moves to Moscow. The artist's work is gradually filled with plots taken from the folk epic: epics, legends and tales. In the future, he will receive worldwide fame, and his paintings - "Alyonushka", "The Knight at the Crossroads", "Bogatyrs" - will be known and loved not onlyRussian people, but also residents 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 choirs, 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 temples. He was able to combine pagan and Christian beliefs in his works, thus influencing the consciousness of the people.
Viktor was brought up in an atmosphere of deep religiosity, and this could not but affect his work. In 1885, Vasnetsov began to paint the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv. His fresco "The Baptism of Russia" was created for centuries and never ceases to delight the eyes of the Orthodox who visit the temple. According to the artist's sketches, murals were made for the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, as well as for the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia and many other churches.
Painting by V. M. Vasnetsov in Vladimir Cathedral
Before starting work, the great Russian master signed an agreement in which he confirmed that he undertakes to do everything necessary in two years. He could not keep his word, but the painting of the temple, which lasted from 1885 to 1896, turned out to be grandiose. In the cathedral, he designed the main nave and apse.
Vasnetsov depicted the events of the New and Old Testaments, various biblical characters on the walls of the church, decorated its vaultsornaments. 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 "Baptism of Russia" is a confirmation of these words.
The meaning of Baptism for the Russian land
In 988, on August 1, Prince Vladimir, who ruled in Kyiv, baptized Russia. This was done for a number of reasons, both political and cultural. Firstly, a single religion - Christianity - contributed to the cohesive state of the Slavs. Secondly, it helped the development of the following forms of culture: architecture, painting, writing - all this came to Russia from Byzantium. Thirdly, Christianity preached love and mercy towards neighbors, patience with their shortcomings and humility. With his acceptance, people's hearts became purer and kinder.
Thus, the pagan worldview was replaced by the Christian one, which gradually replaced the mythological ideas of the people about polytheism, instead offering faith in a single Creator and Creator. Particular emphasis was placed on the moral development of man. The baptism of Ancient Russia and its significance can be considered key for Eastern Europe, since it received a rich heritage, which eventually became part of the spiritual culture of society.
The Baptism of Russia fresco
Vasnetsov painted the walls of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv. One of the most memorable works was the painting "The Baptism of Russia". The fresco was painted by him around 1895-1896. The central figure on itis Prince Vladimir, dressed in rich brocade clothes, embroidered with gold. He prayerfully raises his hands to heaven, asking God for blessings on the Baptism of Russia. People of different ages, among whom there are both representatives of the nobility and ordinary people, are waiting for the ritual to be performed.
They are all dressed in white clothes - a symbol of cleansing from sins. The priest is already baptizing someone, plunging them into the waters of the Dnieper, someone is standing and praying next to the prince. Above is a white transparent cloud, from where the light of divine grace pours on those gathered. Although everything is slightly blurry there, it is clear that in heaven they rejoice for the people taking part in the sacrament. The fresco "The Baptism of Russia" evokes awe and a sense of God's greatness in everyone who has ever seen it.
The need for the sacrament of Baptism
This rite 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 as an "inheritance" from Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God. During baptism, a person is cleansed of this.
Those who take part in the ceremony, being in adulthood, receive the forgiveness of all sins committed before the sacrament. Believers feel in their hearts the importance and depth of the event taking place. After all, it was not for nothing that the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov painted the painting “The Baptism of Russia”. The fresco "The Baptism of Russia" will be especially close and understandable to children if their parents tell them how they themselves once participated in thisthe sacrament that saves the soul.
Fresco "The Baptism of Prince Vladimir"
After the Grand Duke of Kyiv wanted the Church of Constantinople to baptize him, this rite was also performed in Russia. At that time, Byzantium needed military assistance, and our state expressed its readiness to provide 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 Kyiv ruler first took part in the sacrament.
The fresco "The Baptism of Prince Vladimir" will forever remain in the memory of the people. V. M. Vasnetsov depicted him in a stone font, where a wonderful ceremony was performed. Nearby is a priest. Representatives of the local nobility and warriors are watching what is happening. They have to be baptized after the prince. Around the head of Vladimir, the artist depicted a halo. This means that his great mission of the Baptism of Russia was marked by God, and he was elevated to the rank of saints.
Common features of V. M. Vasnetsov's works
Paintings bearing the imprint of this artist's brush are always distinguished by their unusual coloring, filled with the Russian spirit. Every detail of any of his works is thought out and logically fits into the overall plot. Vasnetsov's landscapes are notable for their consistency.
The paintings do not have an abundance of bright colors, their colors, on the contrary, are transparent and pure, which creates a feeling of flight and proximity to the halls of God in the viewer. The faces of the people on itcanvases are mostly devoid of rough and sharp features, they are characterized by a certain softness and tenderness. "The Baptism of Russia" is a fresco by V. Vasnetsov, looking at which you can understand how much a believer the artist was.
