Sergei and Alexei Tkachyov completed ‘In Ancient Vshchizh’ in late 1970. In it, they depict two mowers watching the sunrise. The two young mowers are on a hilltop, admiring the view which opens out onto the ancient settlement of Vshchizh. In this work, the artists highlight the natural landscape in the region near the Tyutchev estate of Ovstug. The sodden floodplain of the river and the rich green of the trees are covered by a dense mist. The rising sun covers the landscape in a warm golden light and casts a spotlight on the mower wearing a red jacket.
By placing the horizon line high up in the landscape, the artists have managed to portray the immensity of the forests. The river stretching out into the distance emphasizes the depth of the landscape. The long lines of the plain imparts a monumental sense of tranquility to the painting.
The tradition of the epic landscape, reflecting the might and the unique significance of nature, is particularly important in Russian art. Isaac Levitan, Vasiliy Polenov and Ivan Shishkin have all depicted epic landscapes.
By placing the horizon line high up in the landscape, the artists have managed to portray the immensity of the forests. The river stretching out into the distance emphasizes the depth of the landscape. The long lines of the plain imparts a monumental sense of tranquility to the painting.
The tradition of the epic landscape, reflecting the might and the unique significance of nature, is particularly important in Russian art. Isaac Levitan, Vasiliy Polenov and Ivan Shishkin have all depicted epic landscapes.
Sergei and Alexei Tkachyov refer to these motifs in their painting, ‘In Ancient Vshchizh’. By depicting the boundless horizons of an ancient settlement, they portray a collective image of their homeland with its vast expanses and its history spanning many centuries. By representing mowers in the painting, the artists highlight the link between the village and a majestic image of their birthplace.
The city of Vshchizh flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries, before being attacked by the Tatars in 1238.
The city of Vshchizh flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries, before being attacked by the Tatars in 1238.
Buildings were destroyed, the inhabitants were killed, and the city was never rebuilt. Archeological excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries showed that a temple, a watchtower and resplendent towers had once dominated the city. Potters and jewelers operated in the city, which was very active in trade.
Archeologists discovered clay cookware, metal knives and various ornaments in the houses. Excavations of the temple uncovered an unusually large human skeleton. It is thought that these are the remains of Prince Svatoslav Vladimirovich.
A necropolis lay near the city a hundred years ago, which is the focus of Fyodor Tyutchev’s song ‘On the road to Vshchizh’. Today, only one burial mound remains, which has a memorial.
A necropolis lay near the city a hundred years ago, which is the focus of Fyodor Tyutchev’s song ‘On the road to Vshchizh’. Today, only one burial mound remains, which has a memorial.
