Vasily Khudyakov found the plot for this painting in the eighth volume of Nikolai Karamzin’s “History of the Russian State.” The artist was inspired by the fate of the Kazan queen Syuyumbike and her young son Utyamysh-Girey. The mother and child became victims of diplomatic games between the Kazan feudal lords and the government of Ivan the Terrible. In the summer of 1551, the queen and her son were expelled from Kazan.
Captured Queen Syuyumbike Leaving Kazan
Creation period
1870
Dimensions
140x226,5 cm
Technique
canvas, oil
Exhibition
2
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Not only Syuyunbeka, but the whole of Kazan shed tears when they learned that this unfortunate viсtim was to be handed over as a prisoner to the Sovereign of Moscow… The people were silent and sad. The whole city followed her to the Kazanka River, where a richly decorated boat was waiting. Syuyunbeka went quietly in a chariot; the nurses carried her son. Pale, weak, she could hardly go down to the pier and, entering the boat, she touchingly bowed to the people, who fell on their faces, wept bitterly, and wished happiness to their former Queen.
Nikolai Karamzin
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The painting is the result of a great research work performed by Vasily Khudyakov. As a history painter, he studied the design and decoration of boats, clothes and weapons of Russian soldiers of the 16th century. During his expedition to the Volga, the artist paid special attention to the national outfits of the Kazan Tatars. Beautiful women in spacious bright shirt dresses, shepherds in pointed felt hats, priests in snow-white turbans and with a sedate posture, boys in skullcaps — the artist meticulously conveyed their images with great respect for foreign culture.
In the second half of the 19th century, the people became the main character of the fine arts. Vasily Khudyakov was born into a family of serfs and from childhood on, he observed the life and moods of ordinary people. The image of the Queen of Kazan evokes feelings of sorrow, suffering and resignation to fate. The people around her come to the fore.
The picture “Captured Queen Syuyumbike Leaving Kazan” is the last large painting by Vasily Khudyakov. With this work, he confirmed the idea of the integrity of the artistic process. Despite the confrontation between academic painting and realistic tendencies, the artist’s work combined all the best features: the height of the idea and great attention to verisimilitude.
In the second half of the 19th century, the people became the main character of the fine arts. Vasily Khudyakov was born into a family of serfs and from childhood on, he observed the life and moods of ordinary people. The image of the Queen of Kazan evokes feelings of sorrow, suffering and resignation to fate. The people around her come to the fore.
The picture “Captured Queen Syuyumbike Leaving Kazan” is the last large painting by Vasily Khudyakov. With this work, he confirmed the idea of the integrity of the artistic process. Despite the confrontation between academic painting and realistic tendencies, the artist’s work combined all the best features: the height of the idea and great attention to verisimilitude.
#3
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
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Captured Queen Syuyumbike Leaving Kazan
Creation period
1870
Dimensions
140x226,5 cm
Technique
canvas, oil
Exhibition
2
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