Chanterelle Mikhail Nesterov (1862-1942)

Description of Mikhail Nesterov’s painting "The Three Elders".

Painter Mikhail Nesterov never found solace in the world of his contemporaneity. Only virgin nature was an inexhaustible source of his inspiration, which was reflected in every work of this remarkable author. He believed that with its help you can tame the turbulent and unruly temper of human nature, as well as cleanse your soul from most of the vices.

In the picture "Three Elders", which has another name "Fox", the viewer sees a warm and sunny day in a forest grove. The main characters of the painting are three elders dressed in monastic robes. They are sitting on a stump. Perhaps they stopped to rest after a long journey or decided to take time to contemplate the rich expanse of their native land.

The elders are seated in a clearing covered in green, lush grass. In the background of the painting, a calm clear river is flowing, surrounded by picturesque hills. It’s as if a haze or a gentle veil envelopes these beautiful scenery.

Ahead of the elders stretches a forest grove. Thin-bark birches, wide-spread firs and mighty pines grow there with their dense crowns reaching up to the heavens. From her green house, ducking slightly to the ground, a fox walks out. It is not afraid of people, because it knows - they will not bring it any harm and, perhaps, give it something tasty.

The old men look attentively at the forest guest. Their faces are calm and friendly. They seem to be amused by the observation of this cute and inquisitive god creature.

A visit to the Solovetsky monastery played an important role in the development of Nesterov’s creative style. He was drawn to the pure and secluded life of the monks, full of kindness and serenity.

The painter compared the world they were in to a beautiful children’s fairy tale that happened in reality. In every shrub, flower or fur-bearing animal, he found ideals hidden in his heart.