Siege of Pskov Polish King Stephen Bathory in 1581. Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799-1852)

Description of Karl Bryullov’s painting "The Siege of Pskov".

Karl Bryullov began painting The Siege of Pskov after he had been appointed head of the history class, but, by the Emperor’s Art Academy, he was awarded only the 2nd degree of professorship. In order to be awarded the 1st degree or the position of senior professor, Bryullov’s task was to paint a large picture, according to the subject given by the academy.

As the basis of the plot of his great canvas, the artist took the real historical events of the Livonian War. When in 1581 the city of Pskov came under siege by the Polish soldiers. These bloody events took many lives, both the residents of Pskov and the attacking side.

The painting depicts the turning point of the battle, when the wall of the fortress explodes and Pskov defender Shuisky and hegumen Tikhon prevent the retreat of city soldiers from the battlefield. Above the heads of the procession of people develop images of icons, and in their hands they carry crosses and holy relics. Destruction and fierce fighting reign around them. The ground is covered with wounded and killed men and their horses. Smoke covers the blue sky, from the tower it comes in big black clubs. But, making its way through the battlefield, the procession is illuminated by bright sunlight, as a symbol that victory will be on the side of Light.

Work on this painting began in 1839. But his idea of Karl Bryullov, according to many, was not able to translate into reality. The sketch of the painting seemed to the artist expressive and exciting. As if some divine army brings salvation to people, chasing away enemies. But critics felt that the composition of the painting was wrong, with the result that not all the main action is captured within the limits of the canvas.

Because of the negative reviews and the enormous scale of the work, Bryullov finally lost interest in it. When the artist died, his painting was never completed.