The idea of ​​the painting “Stepan Razin” Surikov hatched for several years. Being a native of Krasnoyarsk, a descendant of the Don Cossacks, the painter could not ignore such a large-scale and tragic personality, such a vivid symbol of the Cossacks.

The boundless expanse of the Volga and the clouds in the sky are illuminated by the soft rays of the setting sun, golden-pink highlights play on the surface of the water. And the heroes of the plot look all the more contrasting against the background of a peaceful landscape. In the center of the canvas is the leader of the free squad, immersed in deep thought. He is reclining at the mast, leaning his left elbow on a horse’s saddle and rakishly akimbo. A confident pose, menacingly shifted eyebrows are designed to emphasize the determination and coolness of the chieftain’s temper, but at the same time, in the thoughtful look of blue eyes, in the turn of the head, one feels a strange anxiety, as if a daring robber is looking for an answer to painfully important questions – and does not find it.

Title: Stepan Razin.
Author: Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916).
Year of writing: 1906
Size: 318 x 600 cm.
Style: Realism.
Genre: Historical.
Technique: Oil.
Material: Canvas.
Location: State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Vasily Ivanovich Surikov is one of the most famous Russian painters of the 19th century.

Having made the first sketch in 1887, the painter returned to continue work only at the beginning of the next century, and the result was presented to the public in 1906. But even after that, the master was not satisfied with the result, in 1909-1910 he again continued to search for nature for the main character, ensuring that he had “much more thought.”

The painting “Stepan Razin” by Vasily Surikov is the last work of the artist shown at the traveling exhibition. Despite the author’s dissatisfaction with himself, the expressive character he created to this day excites the audience, makes them comprehend the national history, in which the fates of creators, creators and rebels are closely intertwined.