The Ostrogozhsk Museum of History and Art houses five paintings by the famous Russian artist Vasily Dmitriyevich Polenov. However, one of them — a painting titled “Montenegrin Woman Knitting” — is still listed as a work of an unknown artist, although it was confirmed long ago that it was created by the famous painter.

Vasily Polenov was an inquisitive painter with an unquenchable energy and an unshakable faith in his people. Most likely, he inherited the love of his country and artistic talent from his parents. The artist’s mother Maria Alexeyevna Polenova, achieved great success in painting and drawing and promoted a love of fine arts in her children. Vasily Polenov took painting lessons with Ivan Kramskoy, who later became his lifelong friend and colleague. He was a member of the Society for Traveling Art Exhibitions. One of his most famous paintings “Moscow Courtyard” was first presented at the exhibition of the Wanderers in 1878.

The artist’s father Dmitry Vasilyevich Polenov was a prominent archaeologist and bibliographer, and an associate member of the Academy of Sciences. It was he who gave the painter the experience of historical research during their trips across Russia. These journeys also influenced Polenov as an artist: he sketched monuments of the Russian past for his father. Years later, during his visits to various countries, Polenov was always enthusiastic about studying the clothes, gaits, and movements of locals, and depicted their poses and gestures.

A vivid example of such a scientific approach to creating sketches and studies is Polenov’s painting “Montenegrin Woman Knitting” displayed in the museum. This small image of a young girl wearing a national costume and knitting represents the people of a small Balkan country with its own unique characteristics.