Among the exhibits of the Napolnaya School Museum in the town of Alapaevsk there is a copy of the graphic sketch of the Cross-shaped Monument to Grand Prince Sergey Aleksandrovich. It was drawn by Victor Vasnetsov who is well-known for his illustrations of folk tales and bylina, Russian epic ballades. He was a friend of the Grand Prince. The original sketch is in the collection of Victor Vasnetsov House Museum.

In the first paper you can see the front side of the monument.

The image of the Holy Mother in the upper part of the cross is expressing utter grief. It departs from canonical pictures and is imbued with restrained naturalism. With her arms and fingers tightly clasped, the Holy Mother is immersed in praying. Her head is bowed down gracefully and sadly, a tear trickling down her cheek.

This is the way the Holy Mother was depicted in Western Europe, for example, by the Italian Renaissance masters Sandro Botticelli and Filippo Lippi. The heavy folds of the omophorion of the Theotokos on the sketch were supposed to be later embodied in metal.

Grieving seraphim are supporting the Holy Mother from two sides with their wings. In Christian tradition, they are considered to be the highest ranking angels closest to God.

Quotes from the Holy Scripture are inscribed at the foot of the cross. At the Calvary Jesus uttered the following about his torturers: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’.

In the second paper, you can see the back side of the Cross-shaped Monument. In his sketch of the Saviour’s face Victor Vasnetsov used techniques typical of portrait painting. He subtly drew Jesus’s face paying particular attention to his eloquent eyes. Numerous traces of erased lines can be seen upon a closer examination. As the artist tried to get the effect he wanted, he must have made a number of changes in his drawing.