The Russian artist Apollinariy Mikhailovich Vasnetsov may be less known than his older brother Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov with his famous painting “Bogatyrs”, but he was just as talented, and his art is just as authentic.

Apollinariy Vasnetsov was born into a large family of an Orthodox priest in the village of Ryabovo, Vyatka Governorate, in 1856. He was named after his mother, Apollinaria Ivanovna. By the age of 13, the boy had lost both parents.

Apollinariy Vasnetsov became fascinated with painting when he was still a child. In his autobiography, he reflected on the idea that certain episodes, trials, and accidents can influence a person’s inner world and turn their entire life around. For him, such a shocking event was the death of his mother. As Vasnetsov himself wrote about that episode, “that moment opened the artist’s eyes to nature.”

Two main themes can be traced in the art of Apollinariy Vasnetsov. The first one is in line with the interest of Russian society in its history that developed in the late 19th century. The artist created a series of cityscapes with views of old Moscow. The second theme is a lyrical landscape which helped fully reveal the artist’s gift as a colorist.

“The Forest” is a study presented in the Khimki Art Gallery. The landscape shows not only the careful study of trees but also the artist’s sincere love for Russian nature. The sky slightly glimmers, with its blue spots seen among the mighty branches. The trees resemble mighty giants, with their tops rising to the sky, which makes this view majestic. The very atmosphere conveyed in the painting gives a feeling of incredibly fresh air.

Apollinariy Vasnetsov believed that his interest in nature was determined by his contemplative personality type and dreaminess, which greatly helped him in his creative work. The artist inherited these traits from his father who fostered in him a love of nature and observation since early childhood. Eventually, this made Apollinariy Vasnetsov an outstanding landscape painter.