Vasnetsov's painting "The Snow Maiden" - the embodiment of the spiritual beauty of the Russian people

The picture "Snegurochka" was created by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov in the distant 1899. The master specially wrote this picture in order to use it as a decoration when staging the play of Ostrovsky's play of the same name, written for folk motives.

Folklore as a Muse

The theme of Snow Maiden was the leitmotif in all the artist's work. In 1881-1882 - scenery for an amateur performance in the house of the Mammoths (after the play of the same name by Ostrovsky), in 1885-1886 - again scenery, but already for the opera "Snow Maiden" NA. Rimsky-Korsakov. Vasnetsov's painting "The Snow Maiden" is just one of the manifestations of the artist's interest in folk art. Initially, the inspiration for writing the picture was it. According to the motives of the Russian fairy tale, the attractive young girl Snegurochka is the child of Moroz and Spring. It is clean, like white snow, but alas, her cold soul did not know love at all. With all her strength, the heart of a beautiful girl tries to discover this unknown feeling. Unfortunately, according to the wicked irony of fate, it is precisely when the love of the Snow Maiden is about to open, that she is destined to perish. This purest creation, which combined the earthly and unearthly qualities, so deeply enchanted Vasnetsov's soul that he embodied it on the canvas. So there was an idea, and soon the picture of Vasnetsov "The Snow Maiden".

Criticism

The author of the painting deeply imbued with the image of the Snow Maiden and, therefore, profoundly stated the fullness of his understanding of the image of this winter beauty. I must say that contemporaries have met this canvas unkindly. Moments of poetic convention, and the entire picture Vasnetsova "Snow Maiden" was controversial. On the inadmissibility of such free interpretations of folk stories, critics and just spectators were voiced. The painter was also blamed for the artfulness of artistic techniques. Critic V.Stasov wrote: "Nature is very small, and the conventions - too much."

Cold beauty

Picture VM Vasnetsov "Snow Maiden" is made in cold colors. Literally half of the canvas is occupied by the purest untouched snow, it is depicted in the foreground. According to the artist's intention, this snow should reflect the purity of the girl's soul and at the same time the coldness of her heart. But the image of the Snow Maiden is written in movement, she goes to the clearing of the winter forest, looking around, as if she wants to recognize something in the opened landscape. Her pretty face radiates purity and tenderness. The image of the young girl V. Vasnetsov was supplemented with a wonderful fur coat made of expensive material - brocade. Finishes the image of a wonderful cap, giving the Snow Maiden still greater purity and tenderness. She is charming, even nature admires her beauty. The picture of Vasnetsov "Snow Maiden" has one more "zest" - the snow is highlighted by an unknown light. So the author even more wants to emphasize the attractiveness of a young girl. It is also necessary to note the mystery of the forest depicted in the background, it gives an impression of the depth of the Russian soul, which is really impossible to understand with the mind. In the depths of the picture are seen at home, which makes the picture even more holistic.

Incarnation of folk beauty

It was in the image of Snegurochka that the master VM Vasnetsov was unusually able to translate his understanding of the real feminine beauty. The artist with special attention approached the choice of the model, which was supposed to personify the people's beauty, simplicity and at the same time the significance. His choice fell on Sasha - the daughter of S. Mamontov. This extraordinary work of the author still amazes all viewers with its penetration and depth of feelings. And those feelings that inspire the description of Vasnetsov's picture "The Snow Maiden" are like a wonderful fairy tale.