Suvorov Crossing the Alps in 1799 godu1 Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916)

Description of Vasily Surikov’s painting Suvorov’s Crossing of the Alps

As a matter of fact, the idea for the painting itself originated with the famous Russian artist V. Surikov to commemorate the centenary of the crossing of the Alps by the great commander of the Russian Empire, Suvorov, who made this crossing at the head of his army in 1799.

The painting itself was written entirely according to the canons of classical art historical themes, because it is easy to see a kind of theatrical action, which was often found in pictures of historical subjects of those times.

It was in the painting Suvorov’s Crossing the Alps that Surikov was able to show in all the glory and grandeur of the courage and spirit of Russian soldiers who perform a truly great feat, crossing the dangerous path through the mountains. It should be noted that the theme of heroism is inherent in the work of Surikov, because in his paintings, he very often depicted people courageous and committing heroic acts for the honor and glory of his people.

Many art historians tell us that the dynamic and vivid nature of this and many other paintings of the artist provides his background, because Surikov himself is a native of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, belonging to an ancient Cossack family, and therefore these features in his works are emphasized the most.

In the picture himself in the foreground depicts Suvorov as a true leader of his soldiers, ready to go with them into the fire and into the water, and demonstrating, thus, its unity with the common people.

In addition, the picture clearly visible underlined the high psychological component of what is happening, which is primarily denoted in a variety of facial expressions of soldiers seeking at all costs, but to fulfill their duty to the fatherland.

The painting itself was once criticized by the renowned military expert Vereshchagin for the unlikelihood of many details of the soldiers’ and Suvorov’s conduct, but Surikov rejected such criticism, stating that the painting was consciously devoid of plausibility and that it was the heroism and courage of the soldiers and their commander that was put in the foreground.