Russian Art
Vasnetsov, A. M.
"Old Moscow". 1900
Notes: Old Moscow, street in Kitai-Gorod in the early seventeenth century.
Vasnetsov's paintings are in large part based on "bylina" (ancient Russian folk poems) and involve a unique blend of history, fable and folklore. He once explained his fondness for "bylina," stating that in their images he could see the past, the present, and sometimes the future of the Russian people.
"Old Moscow" is an excellent example of Vasnetsov's love for recreating a fabled past. Like a motion picture set for an historical portrayal, so Vasnetsov's image provides the backdrop for a viewer's dreams.
