Portrait of Viktor Vasnetsov

Meet the 100 Most Famous Paintings by Viktor Vasnetsov

Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 234 works by Viktor Vasnetsov in our catalogue

In short

If you know one Viktor Vasnetsov painting, it's probably Bogatyrs (1881), which hangs in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. A Knight At the Crossroads (1878) and Christ Almighty (1896) round out the three pieces people recognise right away. Our catalogue has 234 works by Viktor Vasnetsov. Below are the 100 people know best, each with its year, where to find it and what makes it special.

1848 – 1926, Lopyal Realism Most works: Tretyakov Gallery

Start here: the top 10 Viktor Vasnetsov paintings

1
Bogatyrs (1881) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Bogatyrs

1881 · Oil On Canvas · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

The monumental canvas titled Bogatyrs (Heroes) emerges from the brush of Viktor Vasnetsov, a work that took shape through a long period of creation from 1881 until 1898. Within this vast scene, three noble warriors of Kievan Rus ride through the landscape, their presence commanding the space around them. They exist in a moment of quiet strength, appearing as guardians of a storied past. The air seems to hold its…

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2
A Knight At the Crossroads (1878) by Viktor Vasnetsov

A Knight At the Crossroads

1878 · Oil On Canvas · The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

A Knight At the Crossroads is a painting by Viktor Vasnetsov. Created in 1878, the work captures a solitary figure at a point of decision. The knight sits upon a white horse, frozen in a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the vastness of the landscape. It is a scene of stillness and heavy choice.

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3
Christ Almighty (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Christ Almighty

1896 · Oil

In the painting Christ Almighty by Viktor Vasnetsov, the central figure of Jesus is positioned amidst a celestial landscape. He stands upon a foundation of clouds, holding a book in his hand. His gaze is directed upward toward the sky, a posture that suggests a state of contemplation or wonder. The composition places him within a setting defined by celestial elements, including clouds and stars, which surround the figure to…

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4
Judgement Day (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Judgement Day

1896 · Fresco

Within the sacred walls of St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine, the fresco Judgement Day unfolds in a grand display of spiritual narrative. This religious painting, created by the artist Viktor Vasnetsov, captures a moment of profound divine reckoning. The work emerges from a long period of creation, spanning from 1885 to 1896, as the artist poured his vision into the very architecture of the cathedral. One can feel the…

5
Sirin and Alkonost The Birds of Joy and Sorrow (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Sirin and Alkonost The Birds of Joy and Sorrow

1896 · Oil On Canvas

We are looking at Sirin and Alkonost The Birds of Joy and Sorrow, a significant work by the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov. Painted in 1896, this piece captures a specific moment in the artist's exploration of folklore and myth. It is an oil on canvas, rendered with a scale that commands the space it occupies.

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6
Boyan (1910) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Boyan

1910 · Oil

In this work, titled Boyan, we encounter a significant piece by the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov. Created in 1910, the painting belongs to the Romanticism style, a movement that often sought to find meaning within the depths of myth and history. Vasnetsov, a figure central to the Russian Revivalist movement, brings a specific sense of national identity to this composition through his unique approach to historical and mythological subjects.

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7
The Last Judgement (1904) by Viktor Vasnetsov

The Last Judgement

1904 · Oil On Canvas

The Last Judgement is a significant work by the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov. Painted in 1904, this piece reflects a profound engagement with religious narrative and spiritual themes. It was commissioned by Yu. S. Nechayev-Maltsev, a patron who sought to bring this complex theological vision to life through the medium of oil on canvas.

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8
Descent into Hell (1904) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Descent into Hell

1904 · Oil

The air feels heavy, thick with the scent of earth and the weight of an eternal transition. At the center of this swirling darkness, a figure moves with a quiet, divine purpose. He is a man with long hair and a beard, his presence marked by a soft halo that cuts through the gloom. He wears a simple robe, and in his hand, he carries a book or a scroll,…

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9
God of hosts (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov

God of hosts

1896 · Oil

The painting presents a central figure seated in a chair with wings, positioned as the focal point of a celestial assembly. This man, representing God the Father, is depicted with long white hair and a beard, wearing flowing white robes. On his chest, a dove is situated within a golden circle, signifying the Holy Spirit. The figure is surrounded by a multitude of angels and archangels. Some of these celestial…

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10
Acrobats (Festival in a Paris Suburb) (1877) by Viktor Vasnetsov

Acrobats (Festival in a Paris Suburb)

1877 · Oil On Canvas

In the heart of a bustling Parisian suburb, amidst the flickering glow of gaslight and the scent of sawdust, Victor Vasnetsov captures a moment of breathless intensity in his masterpiece, Acrobats (Festival in a Paris Suburb). This 1877 oil painting is not merely a depiction of a circus; it is a visceral immersion into a world of movement, drama, and human emotion. The composition pulls the viewer directly into the…

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More Viktor Vasnetsov favourites, 11 to 100

11Shroud of Christ (1901) by Viktor VasnetsovShroud of Christ1901 Order this piece from $175 →
12Ivan Zarevitsh (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovIvan Zarevitsh1880 · Finnish National Gallery Order this piece from $200 →
13At a Bookseller shop (1876) by Viktor VasnetsovAt a Bookseller shop1876 Make it yours from $175 →
14Seraphim (1896) by Viktor VasnetsovSeraphim1896 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
15Angel with a lamp (1896) by Viktor VasnetsovAngel with a lamp1896 Order this piece from $175 →
16Oleg meets wizard (1899) by Viktor VasnetsovOleg meets wizard1899 Make it yours from $175 →
17Flying carpet (1926) by Viktor VasnetsovFlying carpet1926 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
18Pharmacist (1871) by Viktor VasnetsovPharmacist1871 Order this piece from $175 →
19Brousov Calendar (1871) by Viktor VasnetsovBrousov Calendar1871 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
20Grave digger (1871) by Viktor VasnetsovGrave digger1871 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
21Russian proverbs and sayings (1867) by Viktor VasnetsovRussian proverbs and sayings1867 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
22Portrait of M.V. Vasnetsov (1870) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of M.V. Vasnetsov1870 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
23Porters (1870) by Viktor VasnetsovPorters1870 Order this piece from $200 →
24Russian proverbs and sayings (1867) by Viktor VasnetsovRussian proverbs and sayings1867 Get it hand-painted from $275 →
25Reaper (1867) by Viktor VasnetsovReaper1867 Make it yours from $175 →
26Portrait of Appolinary Vasnetsov (1872) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of Appolinary Vasnetsov1872 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
27The farmer at the table (1877) by Viktor VasnetsovThe farmer at the table1877 Get it hand-painted from $200 →
28The head of the peasant (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovThe head of the peasant1878 Make it yours from $175 →
29Portrait of V. Vasnetsov the Artist's Wife (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of V. Vasnetsov the Artist's Wife1878 Order this piece from $175 →
30News from the Front (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovNews from the Front1878 Order this piece from $350 →
31Fallen Knight (1879) by Viktor VasnetsovFallen Knight1879 Order this piece from $175 →
32In a suit buffoon (1882) by Viktor VasnetsovIn a suit buffoon1882 Make it yours from $175 →
33Portrait of Tatjana A. Mamontowa (1884) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of Tatjana A. Mamontowa1884 Order this piece from $175 →
34Virgin and Child by Viktor VasnetsovVirgin and Child Order this piece from $175 →
35Snegurochka and Lel (1886) by Viktor VasnetsovSnegurochka and Lel1886 Get it hand-painted from $200 →
36Mounted knights (1896) by Viktor VasnetsovMounted knights1896 Make it yours from $225 →
37Nestor the Chronicler (1893) by Viktor VasnetsovNestor the Chronicler1893 Order this piece from $175 →
38Ivan Tsarevich and the Swan (1901) by Viktor VasnetsovIvan Tsarevich and the Swan1901 Make it yours from $175 →
39M.I. Ryazantseva (1901) by Viktor VasnetsovM.I. Ryazantseva1901 Make it yours from $175 →
40The Lake (1902) by Viktor VasnetsovThe Lake1902 Order this piece from $175 →
41Portrait of Mikhail Nesterov (1926) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of Mikhail Nesterov1926 Make it yours from $175 →
42The Unsmiling Tsarevna (1926) by Viktor VasnetsovThe Unsmiling Tsarevna1926 Make it yours from $350 →
43The Snow Maiden by Viktor VasnetsovThe Snow Maiden Order this piece from $175 →
44A Knight at the Crossroads (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovA Knight at the Crossroads1878 Order this piece from $175 →
45Sketches of ornaments painted Vladimir Cathedral (1893) by Viktor VasnetsovSketches of ornaments painted Vladimir Cathedral1893 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
46Lull (1881) by Viktor VasnetsovLull1881 Order this piece from $175 →
47Alionushka by Viktor VasnetsovAlionushka Make it yours from $175 →
48Dressed as a Buffoon by Viktor VasnetsovDressed as a Buffoon Get it hand-painted from $175 →
49Russian Bishops (1896) by Viktor VasnetsovRussian Bishops1896
50Away (1871) by Viktor VasnetsovAway1871 Order this piece from $175 →
51Girl with a bast basket (1870) by Viktor VasnetsovGirl with a bast basket1870 Make it yours from $175 →
52Merchant family in the theater (1869) by Viktor VasnetsovMerchant family in the theater1869 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
53Portrait of the Artist Arkhip Kuinji (1869) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of the Artist Arkhip Kuinji1869 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
54Playmates (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovPlaymates1878 Order this piece from $175 →
55From Dominik (1874) by Viktor VasnetsovFrom Dominik1874 Make it yours from $175 →
56Vyatka River (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovVyatka River1878 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
57Portrait of the Artist AM Vasnetsov (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of the Artist AM Vasnetsov1878 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
58Acrobats (On a holiday near Paris) (1877) by Viktor VasnetsovAcrobats (On a holiday near Paris)1877 Order this piece from $175 →
59Beggars singer (Pilgrims) (1873) by Viktor VasnetsovBeggars singer (Pilgrims)1873 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
60The farmer with a sixth (study) (1877) by Viktor VasnetsovThe farmer with a sixth (study)1877 Order this piece from $175 →
61Self portrait (1873) by Viktor VasnetsovSelf portrait1873 Order this piece from $175 →
62News of the capture of Kars (1878) by Viktor VasnetsovNews of the capture of Kars1878 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
63Spring (1882) by Viktor VasnetsovSpring1882 Order this piece from $175 →
64Mizgir (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovMizgir1885 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
65For water (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovFor water1880 Make it yours from $175 →
66Landscape under Abramtzevo (1881) by Viktor VasnetsovLandscape under Abramtzevo1881 Order this piece from $175 →
67Ochtir (1879) by Viktor VasnetsovOchtir1879 Make it yours from $175 →
68Alyonushka (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovAlyonushka1880 Order this piece from $175 →
69Kupava (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovKupava1885 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
70Prologue (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovPrologue1885 Order this piece from $175 →
71Underwater tower (1884) by Viktor VasnetsovUnderwater tower1884 Order this piece from $175 →
72Portrait of Natalia Anatolevna Mammoth (1883) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of Natalia Anatolevna Mammoth1883 Order this piece from $175 →
73Portrait of sculptor Mark Matveevitch Antokolsky (1884) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of sculptor Mark Matveevitch Antokolsky1884 Make it yours from $175 →
74Alenushka (1881) by Viktor VasnetsovAlenushka1881 Order this piece from $175 →
75Bayan (sketch) (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovBayan (sketch)1880 Order this piece from $175 →
76Wise King Berendey (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovWise King Berendey1885 Order this piece from $175 →
77Maiden (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovMaiden1885 Make it yours from $175 →
78Timber and Berendeys guys (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovTimber and Berendeys guys1885 Order this piece from $175 →
79Oak Grove at Abramtsevo (1883) by Viktor VasnetsovOak Grove at Abramtsevo1883 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
80Edge of the spruce forest (1881) by Viktor VasnetsovEdge of the spruce forest1881 Make it yours from $175 →
81Three princess of the Underworld (1884) by Viktor VasnetsovThree princess of the Underworld1884 · Kiev National Picture Gallery Make it yours from $175 →
82Jesters (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovJesters1885 Make it yours from $175 →
83Vesna Krasna (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovVesna Krasna1885 Make it yours from $175 →
84Nina Slobodka Berendeevka (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovNina Slobodka Berendeevka1885 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
85Portrait of V. Mamontova (1884) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of V. Mamontova1884 Order this piece from $175 →
86Portrait of the artist Nikolai Kuznetsov (1884) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of the artist Nikolai Kuznetsov1884 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
87Solitary and Bobylikha (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovSolitary and Bobylikha1885 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
88St. Sergiy Radonezhskiy (1882) by Viktor VasnetsovSt. Sergiy Radonezhskiy1882 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
89Alyonushka(study) (1881) by Viktor VasnetsovAlyonushka(study)1881 Order this piece from $175 →
90Sedge (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovSedge1880 Make it yours from $175 →
91Ded Moroz (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovDed Moroz1885 Make it yours from $175 →
92Berendeyki (1885) by Viktor VasnetsovBerendeyki1885 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
93The Vorya River (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovThe Vorya River1880 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
94A Game of Preference (1879) by Viktor VasnetsovA Game of Preference1879 Order this piece from $175 →
95Pond in Ochtir (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovPond in Ochtir1880 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
96Pond in Akhtyrka (1880) by Viktor VasnetsovPond in Akhtyrka1880 Make it yours from $175 →
97Three Tsarevnas of the Underground Kingdom (1879) by Viktor VasnetsovThree Tsarevnas of the Underground Kingdom1879 Order this piece from $175 →
98Portrait of Boris Vasnetsov, son of the artist (1889) by Viktor VasnetsovPortrait of Boris Vasnetsov, son of the artist1889 Make it yours from $175 →
99Baptism of Prince Vladimir (1890) by Viktor VasnetsovBaptism of Prince Vladimir1890 Get it hand-painted from $175 →
100Princess Olga (1893) by Viktor VasnetsovPrincess Olga1893 Get it hand-painted from $175 →

Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings, period by period

What Viktor Vasnetsov painted most

The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.

Where you can see Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings

The 4 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Viktor Vasnetsov Paintings from this list
Tretyakov Gallery, MoscowTretyakov Gallery Moscow 8 Bogatyrs
The State Russian Museum, St. PetersburgThe State Russian Museum St. Petersburg 2 A Knight At the Crossroads
Kiev National Picture Gallery, KyivKiev National Picture Gallery Kyiv 2 Three princess of the Underworld
Finnish National Gallery, HelsinkiFinnish National Gallery Helsinki 1 Ivan Zarevitsh

Viktor Vasnetsov decade by decade: one standout piece each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see its standout piece.

Your questions about Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings

Which Viktor Vasnetsov painting is the most famous?See the answer

Top of the list is Bogatyrs (1881), Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Right behind it: A Knight At the Crossroads (1878) and Christ Almighty (1896).

How old was Viktor Vasnetsov when Bogatyrs was made?See the answer

33 years old. Viktor Vasnetsov was born in 1848, and Bogatyrs dates from 1881.

What are the 10 best-known Viktor Vasnetsov paintings?See the answer

Bogatyrs, A Knight At the Crossroads, Christ Almighty, Judgement Day, Sirin and Alkonost The Birds of Joy and Sorrow, Boyan, The Last Judgement, Descent into Hell, God of hosts and Acrobats (Festival in a Paris Suburb). You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.

How many paintings did Viktor Vasnetsov create?See the answer

We have 234 works by Viktor Vasnetsov in our catalogue, dated 1867 to 1926.

Where can you see Viktor Vasnetsov's famous paintings?See the answer

You'll find most of them in Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow), The State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg) and Kiev National Picture Gallery (Kyiv). The museum list above has the full breakdown.

When did Viktor Vasnetsov paint the best-known pieces?See the answer

In 1880s, more than any other time: 39 of the 100 pieces on this page date from then, Bogatyrs among them.

Which famous Viktor Vasnetsov paintings came first and last?See the answer

The earliest piece here is Russian proverbs and sayings (1867); the most recent is Flying carpet (1926).

What subjects show up most in Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings?See the answer

Women (15), Man (14) and Men (12), out of the 100 pieces on this page.

What materials did Viktor Vasnetsov paint with most?See the answer

Oil On Canvas, used in 20 of the 100 pieces on this page.

What art movement was Viktor Vasnetsov part of?See the answer

Realism, as you can see in the pieces on this page.

Can I get a reproduction of a Viktor Vasnetsov painting?See the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.

Getting to know Viktor Vasnetsov

Viktor Vasnetsov: Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

  • Born on May 12, 1848, in the village of Vyatka (now Kirov), Russia, Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov came from a family with strong ties to both religion and art.
  • His father was a priest and an amateur painter, fostering Viktor’s early interest in visual arts.
  • He initially pursued theological studies at the Vyatka Seminary but ultimately abandoned this path to dedicate himself to painting.
  • Vasnetsov studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, beginning in 1867, where he encountered and befriended other prominent Russian artists.

Artistic Development and Influences

  • Early works reflected realist tendencies, influenced by the Peredvizhniki (Wanderers) movement, focusing on scenes of peasant life.
  • A pivotal shift occurred when Vasnetsov became captivated by Russian folklore, mythology, and historical epics – *byliny*.
  • He drew inspiration from artists like Isaak Levitan and Ivan Aivazovsky, but forged a unique style blending realism with fantastical elements.
  • His travels to Western Europe exposed him to various artistic styles, including Symbolism, which further shaped his aesthetic vision.

Major Works and Themes

  • Vasnetsov’s most celebrated paintings depict scenes from Russian fairy tales, folklore, and historical events.
  • Notable works include: A Knight at the Crossroads, Bogatyrs (Three Warriors), Alyonushka, Ivan Tsarevich Riding the Grey Wolf, and his designs for St. Vladimir’s Cathedral in Kyiv.
  • Recurring themes include heroism, spirituality, national identity, and the mystical power of nature.
  • He often portrayed *bogatyrs* (epic heroes) as symbols of Russian strength and resilience.

Historical Significance and Legacy

  • Vasnetsov played a crucial role in the Russian Revivalist movement, which sought to rediscover and celebrate Russia’s cultural heritage.
  • His work helped shape a national artistic identity and contributed to a renewed interest in Russian folklore and history.
  • He bridged the gap between academic realism and Symbolism, creating a distinctive style that influenced subsequent generations of artists.
  • Vasnetsov's designs for architectural projects, such as the facade of the Tretyakov Gallery, demonstrate his versatility and impact beyond painting.
  • His art continues to resonate with audiences today, embodying the spirit and imagination of Russian culture.

Later Life and Death

  • Vasnetsov continued to create art throughout his life, experimenting with different media and styles.
  • He remained a prominent figure in the Russian art world until his death on July 23, 1926, in Moscow.
  • His legacy endures through his iconic paintings and his lasting contribution to Russian artistic heritage.