Alexei and Sergei Tkachyov worked on ‘The Village Wedding’ throughout the 1980’s. In it, they depict one of the wedding ceremonies - the presentation of bread and salt to the young couple. In villages, this ritual is traditional carried out in a courtyard. The artists capture a young couple who are ceremoniously walking along a homemade rug. The groom’s parents are presenting them with a loaf of bread. Relations, friends and neighbors are watching the ceremony. The older guests are dressed traditionally whilst the younger guests are wearing 1980’s clothing.
The ritual of bread and salt has famous in Rus since ancient times. In a Russian villages, newlyweds often moved in with the groom’s family, and the presentation of bread and salt signified the open-armed welcome offered to the bride. An old-fashioned habit dictates that the groom’s parents should meet the children by the threshold, read out some parting words and present them with a loaf of bread. In turn, the couple should bow before the parents, thank them and take the gift.
The bread forms part of this ritual for a reason - it is considered to be a generous gift from Mother Earth, as well as a symbol of fertility and wealth. The wedding bread was never consumed like normal food - it acted as a sacrosanct symbol with would bring prosperity to the young couple. The loaf of bread would be set down on a “Rushnik” - a long ornamented ritual cloth. The ornament served as a protector for the new family. The salt traditionally signified prosperity and, furthermore, it was considered that, with its help, it could fend off evil spirits. The presentation of bread and salt was always arranged with a sense of solemnity. The whole village would come to observe it.
Village weddings were traditionally held in autumn, after the end of the harvest. At the time the countryside was bathed in golden and crimson light, and was warm enough that people could show off their best outfits.
In “The Village Wedding”, the artists have united an ancient tradition with modern life. The young people are wearing outfits and hairstyles from the 1980’s, the fashion at the time of the painting’s creation. It is clear that the younger generation are respectful towards the ancient ritual and are delighted to be taking part in it.
The Tkachyov brothers completed many paintings exploring rural traditions. They grew up in a large family - their mother enjoyed folk art, made her own burlap, sewed and embroidered costumes and new ancient songs and poems.
The ritual of bread and salt has famous in Rus since ancient times. In a Russian villages, newlyweds often moved in with the groom’s family, and the presentation of bread and salt signified the open-armed welcome offered to the bride. An old-fashioned habit dictates that the groom’s parents should meet the children by the threshold, read out some parting words and present them with a loaf of bread. In turn, the couple should bow before the parents, thank them and take the gift.
The bread forms part of this ritual for a reason - it is considered to be a generous gift from Mother Earth, as well as a symbol of fertility and wealth. The wedding bread was never consumed like normal food - it acted as a sacrosanct symbol with would bring prosperity to the young couple. The loaf of bread would be set down on a “Rushnik” - a long ornamented ritual cloth. The ornament served as a protector for the new family. The salt traditionally signified prosperity and, furthermore, it was considered that, with its help, it could fend off evil spirits. The presentation of bread and salt was always arranged with a sense of solemnity. The whole village would come to observe it.
Village weddings were traditionally held in autumn, after the end of the harvest. At the time the countryside was bathed in golden and crimson light, and was warm enough that people could show off their best outfits.
In “The Village Wedding”, the artists have united an ancient tradition with modern life. The young people are wearing outfits and hairstyles from the 1980’s, the fashion at the time of the painting’s creation. It is clear that the younger generation are respectful towards the ancient ritual and are delighted to be taking part in it.
The Tkachyov brothers completed many paintings exploring rural traditions. They grew up in a large family - their mother enjoyed folk art, made her own burlap, sewed and embroidered costumes and new ancient songs and poems.
