The exhibition of the Iskitim Museum of Arts and History features a painting by Ivan Petrovich Popov titled “Warm Snow”.

Vasily Shukshin is depicted against the backdrop of his native village. Behind him, there are the houses of his fellow villagers, hills, and spring snow illuminated by the sun. Ivan Popov chose to depict spring because it was the favorite season of Vasily Shukshin, his second cousin and close friend. The painter shared his memories in his autobiography “Diary of an Artist”, “Vasily enjoyed visiting his native land in early spring when there was no greenery yet, but instead, there was ‘warm snow’ in some spots. He described this season aptly in his short stories, ‘Lyonka also loved spring — when it was just arriving but could already be felt strongly in the mornings. His heart was filled with bittersweet anticipation. He was waiting for something. That something was spring. And now it had arrived, the bare, splashy, and affectionate spring, promising that it would be warm and sunny soon.’”

The artist painted this portrait 29 years after the death of his cousin. Still, he was able to depict young Shukshin with incredible accuracy. Ivan Popov was devastated by the early death of his friend and cousin,

Both cousins, Ivan Popov and Vasily Shukshin, celebrated the true Russian spirit, telling stories about the lives of ordinary people in Russian villages — humble, hardworking, and honest. With their art — both images and words — the two talented cousins from the village of Srostki captivated several generations of people. They did not shout but were heard by everyone. They captured the essence of the role of native land in life and the eternal nature of moral values. Vasily Shukshin wrote, “The place where I was born… Why is it that the thought still lives on in my heart that someday I shall go back and remain there forever? When? Life doesn’t seem to be turning out that way… And why? Perhaps it is because it is so much alive, all the time, in my heart, and its fair image will fade only when I fade myself? That must be it. Bless you, my home, may the labor and thought of man be a blessing to you! Be happy! If you are happy, then so shall I be.”