‘Portrait of a Tatar from MinusInsk’ by VasIly SUrikov was inspired by Siberia. The artist spent his childhood in KrasnoyArsk. This experience aroused his interest in the ancient patriarchal way of the Siberian people and their customs. For many years, he had a genuine interest in the history of Siberia—especially the legends about Yermak and his Cossack detachment, which conquered Siberia. Besides, for years, the master had kept the memories of majestic Siberian nature and its striking sceneries which he reflected in many of the artworks. His historical artworks were inspired by numerous facts about Siberia.

Surikov wrote, ‘Siberia fostered the ideals of historical types in me when I was a kid. It gave me courage, strength, and vigor.’ Surikov had always been attracted to Siberia and traveled there when living in Moscow. The artist spent the summer and fall of 1909 in Krasnoyarsk and went on a long journey across the steppes of Minusinsk.

‘On this journey, Siberia made Surikov experience new and yet unknown feelings, it took him deep into the past, to ideas much broader than the local ancient way of life, ’ Natalia Konchalovskaya wrote in her documentary novel ‘A priceless gift.’

It was here where the ‘Portrait of a Tatar from Minusinsk’ was painted. This small painting is one of those artworks by Surikov that reveal not only was he a master of history painting he was also a prominent portraitist. As soon as you look at the painting you recognize that the artist had his own unique perspective on the human person.

‘Portrait of a Tatar from Minusinsk’ was not some study drawing for a historical painting. At the same time, it leaves you convinced that the person depicted is a part of some great history, the life of his people. When observing the model closely the artist wants to reveal both individual appearance features and something more general—the harmony of ethnic features, the intrinsic dignity of a person.