The Song of Prince Oleg (1848-1926) Viktor Vasnetsov (1848-1926)

Description of the painting "Farewell to Oleg and his Horse" by Viktor Vasnetsov

The creator of artistic masterpieces in the folklore and historical genre is the painter V.M. Vasnetsov. Many people recognize the work of this Russian artist from illustrations to fairy tales and poems they saw as children.

"Oleg’s farewell to his horse" is a watercolor work to a poem by Pushkin. This work tells in rhymed form an old legend about Prince Oleg. By tradition, the bogatyr turned to a sorcerer, who foretold the strong warrior’s death from his own horse. The master of the faithful horse decided to part with his constant companion in order to avoid his death. He ordered to take care of the animal: to bathe it, give it the purest water and feed it with the finest grain. Then the prince bid farewell to his native land and, taking another horse, set off to conquer other lands.

When he came back after a long travel, he inquired about the old horse he had left behind. He was told about the death of the animal. Oleg wished to see the remains of his dead faithful friend. Seeing them in the ground, the bogatyr grinned about his foretold doom. But then the snake crawled imperceptibly out of the horse’s skull and fatally stung the man. It is impossible to prove whether it is true or fiction. However, the ancient tales that survived to this day continue to engage the imagination and inspire many artists.

Vasnetsov, in a painting of 1899, depicted the moment when Oleg, a stately strongman in steel armor, nestled his head against a white horse. There is a bitter farewell between the tethered souls. A man standing nearby holds the reins, intending to lead the dangerous animal away as quickly as possible. The face of the prince is harsh and resolute.

The Russian steppe with the tops of the firs and the cloudy sky forms a background for the painting. The coloring is very diverse: in the spirit of folk masters, the painting abounds in traditional patterns and scarlet colors.

"Farewell, my comrade," the poet wrote in a poem. And so the soul feels this line in the silent canvas of the artist Vasnetsov.