About war (1873)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
"About War" is a compelling painting by the renowned Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin, known for his dramatic and often harrowing depictions of military life. This particular work, painted in 1873, showcases a stark and desert-like battlefield after a conflict.In the foreground, two figures on horseback dominate the scene. They are richly dressed in ornamental military attire, which contrasts vividly with the grim scene around them. These figures, possibly high-ranking officers, survey the aftermath, providing a stark juxtaposition between the living and the dead. One of the figures gestures towards the horizon, perhaps indicating the continuation of their campaign or pointing out the vast scale of devastation.The landscape is littered with the fallen bodies of soldiers, their colorful uniforms dulled by the dust and sand, underscoring the brutal reality of war. The earth is barren, echoing the desolation and futility of conflict, and in the distance, a hazy, almost indistinct army continues to march, suggesting the unending nature of such struggles.Vereshchagin's craftsmanship in "About War" is evident in his attention to detail, the vivid yet somber coloring, and the emotional impact of the composition.
Delivery
Returns
Vasily Vasilievich Vereshchagin was one of the most famous Russian war artists and one of the first Russian artists to be widely recognized abroad. The graphic nature of his realistic scenes meant that many of them were never printed or exhibited.
Vereshchagin was born in Cherepovets, Novgorod province, Russia, in 1842. the middle of three brothers. His father was a noble landowner, and his mother had Tatar roots. When he was eight years old, he was sent to Tsarskoe Selo to join Alexander's cadet corps. Three years later, he joined the Marine Cadet Corps in St. Petersburg and made his first voyage in 1858. Served in the frigate "Kamchatka", which sailed to Denmark, France and Egypt.