Vasnetsov, painting “Flying Carpet”: description and essay on the painting

Brief biography of the artist

Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov was born in the village of Lopyal, which was located in the Vyatka province of the Russian Empire. This event, significant not only for his family, but also for many future admirers of the master’s work, occurred on May 15, 1848.

The boy's father was a church priest. Having first graduated from the Vyatka Theological School, then from the Theological Seminary, the young man went to enter the Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg. He began exhibiting his work while still a student in 1869. In 1878, Vasnetsov became a member of the Association of Itinerants and visited France and Italy. In 1893 he became a full member of the Academy of Arts.

At first, the creator drew for magazines and inexpensive popular publications. In the 1870s, he painted a number of paintings where he showed the life of officials, small merchants, and the urban poor. In 1879, the artist abandoned this genre painting and turned to folk tales, epics, and stories. Among his most famous paintings on fairy-tale themes: “Alyonushka”, “Ivan the Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf”, “Heroes”, “Snow Maiden”.

One of the first works that Vasnetsov marked his transition to folk fairy tale themes was the painting “Flying Carpet.”

History of creation

The idea for the painting appeared in connection with an order made by the famous Russian philanthropist Savva Ivanovich Mamontov. It was necessary to paint three canvases to decorate the premises of a company building railways. According to the author, the painting was supposed to symbolize pressure, movement, speed in the traditional Russian style . The painting with Ivan Tsarevich on a flying carpet well expressed the artist’s idea.

But the plot did not find understanding among representatives of the railway board. They felt that the fairy-tale theme was not in harmony with the real goals and objectives that the company was called upon to solve. The work was not accepted, and then Savva Mamontov bought it himself. Now the painting is on display at the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum and is rightfully considered a masterpiece of Russian fine art.

Viktor Vasnetsov opened the way to the magical and beautiful world of Russian epics and fairy tales. Before him, no one could revive the folk epic with such truthfulness and love, connect the past and present together, and restore the beauty of ancient legends.

One can note in Vasnetsov’s work 5 paintings based on Russian fairy tales:

"Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf."
"Alyonushka."
"Bogatyrs".
"Song of Joy and Sorrow."
"Koschei the Deathless".

The artist painted paintings with fairy-tale scenes until the end of his life. He worked on the canvas “Bogatyrs” for 25 years.

History of the creation of the canvas

Who knows, the painting, which later became so famous, would have seen the light of day if not for Savva Ivanovich Mamonov, a philanthropist and major industrialist. It was he who ordered Vasnetsov a painting on this topic, saying that he needed to paint 3 canvases that needed to be used to decorate the office of the board of the Donetsk Railway that was then under construction. But first he talked to Viktor Mikhailovich and found out what he would like to depict on canvas. It must be said that Mamontov contributed in every possible way to the promotion and unification of talented people, he gave Vasnetsov the opportunity to transfer his creative desires to canvas.

As one would expect, the board did not agree to hang paintings on such a theme in their office, but Vasnetsov’s work was not in vain - his canvas, like the second, was bought by Mamontov himself, and the third was purchased by the patron’s brother.

“Flying carpet” painting by Vasnetsov

“ The Flying Carpet ” is a famous painting by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (1848-1926), painted in 1880, oil on canvas. 165x297. Currently, the painting is in the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum. It is known that this is the second painting by Vasnetsov, in which he turned to fairy tales and myths. The first picture was “The Knight at the Crossroads”. Subsequently, the artist created many paintings that depict various scenes from fairy tales, myths and legends, and all of them are beautiful in their own way and filled with the artist’s special poetic language.

The history of the creation of the “Flying Carpet” began with the fact that the famous industrialist and philanthropist of the time, Savva Ivanovich Mamontov, ordered Vasnetsov to paint on this topic, which was necessary to decorate the office of the board of the Donetsk railway under construction. Together they decided that the painting should express a certain free and easy movement and at the same time should turn to historical roots, express ancient traditions and culture. After writing, the board of the railway did not agree to decorate the office with a painting of such a fairy-tale theme, and Savva Mamontov himself immediately bought it.

Traditions, legends or mythological tales about the flying carpet came to Russian culture from the Middle East, but they were so loved in Rus' that they quickly became part of many folk tales. In the picture we see a flying carpet, on which the hero of the fairy tale, Ivan Tsarevich, confidently stands. In his hands is a large cage containing the Firebird. The mood of the picture is very calm and measured. In the pre-dawn twilight you can see the endless Russian expanses. The slightly dull colors of the landscape, which, together with the owls, are a symbol of dangerous places where Ivan would have had a hard time if he had not had a flying carpet donated by Baba Yaga, further emphasize the brightness and colorfulness of the central plot of the picture. The pink shades with which the rising Sun adorned the sky symbolically indicate the victory of the hero of the fairy tale, who overcame all difficulties, was able to escape from pursuit and fulfilled the assignment - he caught the Firebird, who got into the habit of stealing apples in the royal garden.

Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov - Magic Carpet

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Vasnetsov, painting “Flying Carpet”. Brief description of the painting

In his creation, the artist captured people's dream of flying. In those days, airplanes had not yet been invented, but many wanted to soar into the sky, to a bird's eye view.

For this purpose, back in ancient times, people made wings, then hang gliders, and balloons. This dream was also reflected in ancient folk tales, in which heroes can move like this, as Viktor Vasnetsov showed.

The painting “Flying Carpet” is multifaceted. In its center we see a carpet that has spread its wings like a bird. A beautifully dressed fairy tale hero stands confidently on it. He holds the cage in which the Firebird is located with one hand.

Description of the painting “Flying Carpet” by V. Vasnetsov

Artist: Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov Title of the painting: “Flying Carpet” Painting: 1880 Oil on canvas. Size: 165 × 297 cm

The son of a priest, a participant in numerous exhibitions of Peredvizhniki artists, V. Vasnetsov was not only the discoverer of epic fairy-tale subjects in painting, but also an architect who accomplished the evolution from images of folk life to fantastic motifs.

Vasnetsov previously turned to historical themes, which are also based on folk legends - such was the “Massacre of Igor Svyatoslavovich with the Polovtsians.” After this work, the artist received a very interesting order.

Patron Savva Mamontov at that time was the chairman of the board of the Donetsk Railway, which had just begun to be built. Knowing Vasnetsov’s desire to create, the patron ordered paintings from him that were supposed to personify the railway as something that would open up new opportunities for movement for the residents of the Donetsk region. The rest is complete freedom of creativity. Vasnetsov fulfilled the order, but when he presented his painting, most of those present criticized the painting, saying that it did not correspond to the concept of the industry. This is not surprising - “The Flying Carpet” awakened childhood feelings and memories of fairy tales in serious and impressive men. Mamontov bought the painting, and for a long time it was in the personal collection of the patron.

Before the appearance of the painting “Flying Carpet,” only Da Vinci designed flying machines in painting, and then in the late Middle Ages. Nobody turned to fantasy-themed stories. The flying carpet depicted in the picture became material, that is, everyone could see their childhood dream.

Against the backdrop of the artist’s native nature, a carpet is depicted that more closely resembles a fairy-tale bird. The action on the canvas takes place in the evening, when the ground is shrouded in fog, and the river with bushes and trees reflected in it resembles a road to a fantasy world. This is Vasnetsov’s main artistic technique - landscape-mood, it evokes unprecedented feelings in everyone who has ever seen the picture.

Who is flying this aircraft? Ivan Tsarevich himself, who after long trials finally got the Firebird. He stands proudly in the middle of Baba Yaga's gift, holding a cage in his hands. His face is calm and expresses confidence that he can cope with the rest of the tests. The Russian hero is not flying alone on the carpet - he is accompanied by an escort in the form of three owls, assistants to the Bone Leg. Either they are showing the way, or they are protecting the Firebird, the viewer will not know.

The hero and the bird are the brightest in the picture. His clothes are in traditional Russian green and red colors, his hat and sash are embroidered with gold. The bird is a rich golden color, but the rest of the landscape is strikingly dull and seems lifeless - the river flows lazily, even somewhat sleepily, its banks are covered with muddy greenery, and the trees are sparse. This is the artist’s contrast with the real world, which is devoid of variety, unattractive and multicolored, with an energetic fairy-tale world. The artist painted the flying carpet against the background of a white and pink sky, along which rare dark clouds float. This contrast is intended to emphasize both the brightness of the carpet itself and the colorful image of the hero.

The only and complete source of light in the picture is the firebird. Its radiance is so enormous that it eclipses the light of the moon. The halo around the overseas wonder emphasizes the intricate patterns on the carpet, which are reminiscent of ancient Celtic runes. Perhaps that is why the weavers' product can fly.

The image of Ivan Tsarevich on Vasnetsov’s canvas is a collective image of the heroes of Russian fairy tales. The hero flies at great speed over plains, cities, fields and rivers. For many who listened to good old Russian rock in their youth, just looking at this vehicle should create an association with the Agatha Christie helicopter carpet. However, the viewer of this picture is not in the world of a Gothic fairy tale, but in a world of vivid phantasmagoria. How many variations are there on the air carpet theme?

Ivan Tsarevich went into the dungeon on such a carpet, saved Marya Morevna and performed many other miraculous feats. This is a domestic folk psychological portrait of a leader who not only defeats monsters and accomplishes feats, but also has compassion for other people and can help them. Take a closer look at how confidently the hero looks forward - he clearly sees his future and knows how to set goals for himself. This is a person who can face the challenges prepared by fate with dignity and emerge victorious.

The flying carpet in Vasnetsov’s painting is a completely independent image. He flies over forest expanses, through fogs and storms. Its edges resemble the wings of the fabulous bird Roc, before whose power even huge owls make way. Vasnetsov's carpet floating in the air is organically woven into the landscape of the canvas, it is simple, like all fairy-tale miracles, and its image is so convincing that many who saw the carpet in the picture begin to look for the same one at the nearest flea market, hoping for a miracle.

The artist managed to convince the viewer that the flying carpet is the same material object as the river under it, the forest, owls or even Tsarevich Ivan. This is also created by the general background of the picture: the evening sky with clouds that lazily float across it. The thin and graceful crescent moon only emphasizes the power of this fabulous object.

It is impossible not to say that the origins of the tales of the magic carpet begin with the tales of the Arabian Nights, the plots of which were quite successfully adopted by Western civilization.

Modern literary works, video games, and films quite often make the miracle carpet an attribute of the main character. The film "The Thief of Baghdad", filmed back in 1940, presents the character on a flying carpet. Before this, the Russian science fiction writer Alexander Belyaev published the story “The Flying Carpet.” Old Man Hottabych from the Soviet fairy tale, Soviet film and domestic remake is also unthinkable without a flying carpet.

The famous science fiction writers, the Strugatsky brothers, also wrote about the “gravity-protective flying carpet,” and the cartoons “Futurama” and “Aladdin” showed the heroes who owned the flying carpet. The parent of Harry Potter and Co. JK Rowling did not ignore the carpet floating in the air.

Brief description continued

The carpet soared even higher than the birds; one can see how the owls look in surprise at the strange vehicle.

In the background, the artist depicted the endless Russian expanses. In the light pre-dawn fog, the river, the field merge with the vast sky. To create a mood of expectation of a miracle, Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov chose the right colors. The painting “Flying Carpet” creates a complacent mood in the viewer. There are no annoying spots, all shades and colors are very harmoniously combined with each other. Contemplation of this painting helps to calm, awaken dreams and immerse yourself in the world of dreams.

Essay based on Vasnetsov's painting Flying Carpet

About the author: Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (1848-1926) - Russian painter. From early childhood he was fascinated by Russian folk tales. On his canvases you can see many fairy-tale characters, such as the Snow Maiden, Alyonushka, the Sleeping Princess, Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf. In Vasnetsov’s painting Magic Carpet, we also see a scene from a fairy tale. Ivan Tsarevich and the captured Firebird are flying on a magic carpet. The artistic canvas was painted in 1880 by order of S.I. Mamontov, a major industrialist and philanthropist. At that time he was the chairman of the board of the Donetsk railway under construction. And this painting symbolized rapid movement from one place to another.

Essay based on Vasnetsov's painting Flying Carpet: description and analysis of the artistic canvas

In Vasnetsov’s painting The Flying Carpet, we see Tsarevich Ivan flying on the carpet with the fabulous Firebird, which has magical powers. The victorious hero was able to catch this elusive bird and now firmly holds the cage in which it sits. Flying over forests, fields and rivers, he stands proudly on a magic carpet and looks ahead.

Ivan Tsarevich is dressed in a luxurious green brocade caftan, embroidered with gold threads. On his head is a golden-yellow hat with dark lapels. The hero of the picture has a decisive and serious expression on his face. He was able to overcome all the obstacles that came his way. All that remains is to deliver your loot to the palace.

The firebird sitting in a cage emits a golden glow. According to the description in the fairy tale, she has golden and silver plumage. She is able to heal the sick and restore sight to the blind. She is depicted on canvas with bright yellow paints. The author managed to use paint to display on the canvas the golden glow emanating from this fairy-tale character.

The colorful flying carpet on which the heroes fly looks like a huge bird with outstretched wings. It itself is brown with bright patterns of emerald, red, yellow, blue and pink. At the back you can see the fringe fluttering in the wind. Fairy-tale characters on a flying carpet stand out brightly against the background of a pale blue sky. The setting sun painted the clouds pink, and the rising moon added a golden glow. Therefore, the sky on the canvas looks pearlescent, as if shimmering.

Our heroes are accompanied by three owls flying ahead. And below, the artist depicted an ordinary landscape with a green meadow, a river and small trees. Due to the falling fog, green fields, forests and lakes are barely visible in the background.

The artistic canvas tells us about the tenacity and courage of the main character. And about his determination to go to the end to achieve his goal. Ivan Tsarevich, or simply Ivanushka, personifies in the picture the entire Russian people with the same determination and fortitude.

Similar

A detailed description of the details of the masterpiece - the beginning

Now the name of the artist and his creation have become almost synonymous for many; it is enough to say: “Vasnetsov - the painting “Flying Carpet”,” - the description of the painting and the image of its creator will immediately come to mind. This will help you remember the author better and develop associative thinking. In order for the painting to remain in memory for a long time, it is necessary to pay attention to its smallest details.

The sky is depicted with white and sometimes pink paint. The reflections of the sun are conveyed by yellow. It is also reflected in the river below. The heights are calm, it was these shades that helped to see it. Against such a background, the main characters of the canvas look great.

Continuation of a detailed description of the details of the masterpiece

When schoolchildren, students in grades 5-6, are asked to write a paper on the topic “Vasnetsov, “The Flying Carpet,” the essay can begin with a story about the writer and continue with a description of the details of the picture. Speaking about the carpet, it is necessary to point out that the role of its two wings is played by the corners of the weaving product. Diagonally, at almost the same distance from them, the canvas slightly bent upward. This part looks like the back of a bird. You can easily imagine it under the carpet. It is the shape of a large bird that has the outline of the carpet.

The hero of a fairy tale stands on it. He fulfilled the king’s instructions - he obtained the wonderful Firebird from distant lands. The young man put her in a cage to take her to her destination.

The three owls depicted on the left side of the canvas opened their already large eyes even wider in surprise. After all, it’s not every day that they manage to see a person flying on a carpet in the sky. Vasnetsov was able to convey all this very reliably.

Vasnetsov, painting “Flying Carpet”: description and essay on the painting

During his life, Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov created many picturesque narrative canvases. The painting “Airplane Carpet” was painted by him in 1880. This is the artist’s second work (after “The Knight at the Crossroads”) in which he turned to fairy-tale themes.

Brief biography of the artist

The boy's father was a church priest. Having first graduated from the Vyatka Theological School, then from the Theological Seminary, the young man went to enter the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. He began exhibiting his work while still a student in 1869. In 1878, Vasnetsov became a member of the Association of Itinerants and visited France and Italy. In 1893 he became a full member of the Academy of Arts.

Vasnetsov, painting “Airplane Carpet”. Brief description of the painting

In his creation, the artist captured people's dream of flying. In those days, airplanes had not yet been invented, but many wanted to soar into the sky, to a bird's eye view.

The painting “Airplane Carpet” is multifaceted. In its center we see a carpet that has spread its wings at its corners, like a bird. A beautifully dressed fairy tale hero stands confidently on it. He holds with one hand the cage in which the Firebird is located.

Brief description continued

The carpet soared even higher than the birds; one can see how the owls look in surprise at the strange vehicle.

The painting “Airplane Carpet” creates a complacent mood in the viewer. There are no annoying spots, all shades and colors are very harmoniously combined with each other.

Contemplation of this painting helps to calm, awaken dreams and immerse yourself in the world of dreams.

A detailed description of the details of the masterpiece - the beginning

Now the name of the artist and his creation have become almost synonymous for many; it is enough to say: “Vasnetsov - the painting “Airplane Carpet””, the description of the painting and the image of its creator will immediately come to mind. This will help you remember the author better and develop associative thinking. In order for the painting to remain in memory for a long time, it is necessary to pay attention to its smallest details.

Continuation of a detailed description of the details of the masterpiece

When schoolchildren, students in grades 5-6, are asked to write a paper on the topic “Vasnetsov, “Airplane Carpet,” the essay can begin with a story about the writer and continue with a description of the details of the picture.

Speaking about the carpet, it is necessary to point out that the role of its two wings is played by the corners of the weaving product. Diagonally, at almost the same distance from them, the canvas slightly bent upward. This part looks like the back of a bird.

You can easily imagine it under the carpet. It is the shape of a large bird that has the outline of the carpet.

The hero of a fairy tale stands on it. He fulfilled the king’s instructions - he obtained the wonderful Firebird from distant lands. The young man put her in a cage to take her to her destination.

Painting “Airplane Carpet”, essay

Students can also begin their creative work on literature with a description of the canvas itself and its details. If the teacher asks you to come up with your own story on this fairy-tale theme, you can write the following. In one city there lived a smart young man named Ivan. When he grew up, he went to study and then to work.

One day a guy saw a princess through the walls of the fence and decided to marry her. But the girl’s father came up with various tests for the groom.

The brave Ivan dealt with them all, and after one of them he got the plane carpet. The last task was to bring the bird. And this turned out to be up to the young man.

Now he is flying towards his dream and his enlightened face is illuminated by the bright shine emanating from the magical creature in the cage.

Painting “Flying Carpet”, essay

Once a guy saw a princess through the walls of the fence and decided to marry her. But the girl’s father came up with various tests for the groom. The brave Ivan dealt with them all, and after one of them he got a flying carpet. The last task was to bring the bird. And this turned out to be up to the young man. Now he is flying towards his dream and his enlightened face is illuminated by the bright shine emanating from the magical creature in the cage.

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