- District of Sheksna
- District of Cherepovets
- District of Chagoda
- District of Kharovsk
- District of Ustyuzhna
- District of Ust'-Kubinskoye
- District of Tot'ma
- District of Tarnoga
- District of Syamzha
- District of Sokol
- District of Nyuksenitsa
- District of Nikolsk
- District of Mezhdurech'ye
- District of Kichmengsky Gorodok
- District of Kirillov
- District of Kadui
- District of Gryazovets
- Vologda
- Cherepovets
- District of Vytegra
- District of Vologda
- District of Vozhega
- District of Verkhovazh'ye
- District of Veliky Ustyug
- District of Vashki
- District of Belozersk
- District of Babushkino
- District of Babaevo
Artists

Vasily Vereshchagin
battle painter, soldier, traveler
World-famous Russian painter, soldier and traveller.
He is best known for his military pictures, which portrayed war in all its horror and brutality. He is known also for his studies of Turkestan and Asian life and the canvases dealing with Anglo-Indian history. His pictures were displayed in the biggest cities of Russia and abroad (London, Paris, Berlin, New York and others). Most of his works are collected in the Tretyakov Picture Gallery, Moscow and the State Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.
The great Russian painter, the son of a landowner, was born on October 26, 1842 in Cherepovets. In spite of himself he was sent to the Junior Cadet Corps at the age of eight, and in 1853 he was transferred to the St. Petersburg Naval School (1853-1860). It was here that he took up drawing and began to devote more time to it.
In 1860 Vasily graduated first in the list from the naval school. But he left the service immediately to begin the study of drawing. Vereshchagin sent in his papers against his parents' wishes and entered the St.Petersburg Academy of Arts. Outraged by this action, his father cut off all material assistance to the son.
Vasily devoted himself wholeheartedly to painting, but the Academy system of teaching, with its standards and traditions, oppressed the artist. In 1863 he left the Academy and went to the Caucasus to paint from nature. His first independent works were numerous drawings of popular types, genre scenes and Caucasian landscapes. In 1864 Vasily proceeded to Paris, where he studied at the Academy of Arts.
Devoting his life to travel, the artist acquired subjects for paintings from on-the-spot impressions in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, along the Danube River, and in Turkestan where he made for in 1867. At that time Turkestan was a place of military confrontations and violences. The painter's intention was to witness the war and depict it true to life. In 1868 he joined the Russian garrison defending the Samarkand fortress. His military service at the siege of Samarkand procured for him the cross of St. George for bravery and courage.
War appeared in Vereshchagin's paintings as a dramatic event, severe and courageous. The artist painfully and bitterly regretted the enormous toll of human lives. Vereshchagin's battle-pieces enjoyed great popularity both in Russia and abroad, and helped determine the basic orientation of the artist's work. From his earliest works Vereshchagin spoke out in protest against aggressive wars. This antimilitarist stance was the result of the artist's personal observations on the matter.
Having spent three years in Turkestan, Vereshchagin produced a number of war pictures and exhibited one of them - The Apotheosis of War portraying a pyramid of skulls dedicated "to all conquerors: past, present and to come". The meaning of the painting extends beyond its historical context.
In a series of battle-pieces Vereshchagin developed his thoughts about the cruelty of feudal lords, about the barbarity of battle orders and about the heroism and courage of Russian soldiers, simple people.
In 1874-1876 the painter made a trip to India to study the scenery and way of life of the country. It was a productive period and he painted etudes depicting the gorgeous white-stone architecture of the country. A series of pictures was devoted to the British takeover of India.
The Russo-Turkish war which broke out in 1877-1878 again brought Vereshchagin to the front. He was dangerously injured during the mine attack along the Danube River, his younger brother was killed there.
Vereshchagin adhered to the opinion that it was impossible to depict war pieces as they really were, not taking part in the attacks, storms and victories. He wanted to feel and go through it all himself.
From 1887 to 1901 the artist worked on a series of paintings - more than twenty - about the Patriotic War of 1812. His aim was to show in pictures of the 1812 War the great national spirit of the Russian people, their selflessness and heroism in fighting an enemy.
Vereshchagin continued to travel right up to the end of his life. He visited Syria, Palestine, America, the Philippines, Cuba and Japan.
The artist took part in the battles of the Russo-Japanese war. On April 13, 1904 he perished in the sinking of the Russian flagship "Petropavlovsk" which was blown up by an enemy mine near Port Arthur.
Because of his strong patriotic ideas, the depth and acuteness of the subjects, and the vivid images of popular types the artist made a tangible contribution to the genre of historical painting of the late nineteenth century.
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Taj Mahal in Agra, India. 1874-1876 |
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The "1812" series on Napoleon's Russian campaign |
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Elderly lady (lace-maker). 1888 |