Reaper Viktor Vasnetsov (1848-1926)

Description of the painting Harvester by V. M. Vasnetsov.

Victor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov was one of the most famous painters of the late 19th century. His main focus was rural life. One of his works is the painting Harvester, painted in oil on canvas in 1867. All his paintings are imbued with Russian folklore. Throughout his life, the artist dedicated himself to conveying Russian folk traditions and customs through his paintings. It is very important today to follow our national traditions.

The image of a rural worker was successfully created by the artist. He managed to convey the unique character of a village girl working in the field. The girls clothing is typical of agricultural workers in the 19th century. We see that the harvester is quite young, shy, and hardworking. Her bare feet suggest that she enjoys walking on Russian soil and feeling the freshly cut stalks under her feet. Her head is covered with a scarf, indicating that it is a hot day and the time is midday. Her clothing is simple but neat. She has raised the hem of her skirt to avoid getting dirt on her dress, which suggests that she is careful. We see her beautiful and strong legs. She wears no jewelry, suggesting that she comes from a poor family. And a wealthy person would not go to the field to harvest wheat. The girl is very thin and slender, but at the same time, she is not afraid of hard work. Her gaze is determined, and it is clear that she is accustomed to hard labor.

The yellow color of the stalks indicates that this is the right time to harvest wheat. The sight of ripe wheat evokes a feeling of native nature. In the background, Victor Mikhailovich depicts the village with a few strokes. Just a few houses, and we already understand that the village is small but cozy. This coziness is created by the smoke rising from the roofs of the houses. The sky is clear and blue, without a single cloud, only smoke. The entire image of the girl embodies the image of a Russian woman in the 19th century. The painting is so realistic that you want to go out into the field with her, take a sickle, and start harvesting wheat.

With this painting, the artist wanted to show the everyday life of Russians, the simplicity of the Russian soul, and the beauty of nature. The painting prompts reflection on the lives of Russian peasants, their hard working days. In conclusion, I would like to say that Vasnetsovs paintings are pleasing to the eye and have historical value, as they convey the spirit of our ancestors. The entire image of the Russian soul is contained in this fragile figure of a girl. Victor Mikhailovich managed to convey all the charm of Russian women through this image of the harvester. In conclusion, I would like to note that the painting is done in a style typical of the artist.