Artwork
Die Fürstin Urussowa
Die Fürstin Urussowa is an oil painting by the Realist artist Vasily Surikov. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Vasily Ivanovich Surikov, a Russian realist active in Moscow during the late 19th century, painted *Die Fürstin Urussowa* in 1892 with oil on canvas. The work belongs to the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection and illustrates a moment from the domestic life of the Russian nobility.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a noblewoman dressed in a dark gown and white headscarf, standing before a brown wall. She holds a rosary and appears absorbed in private prayer, conveying a mood of silent devotion and introspection.
Technique & Style
Surikov employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, allowing the limited light to carve the folds of the dress and the contours of the hand. The subdued palette and soft illumination create depth while emphasizing the spiritual focus of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created during the reigns of Alexander III and Nicholas II, the painting entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of Russian realist art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (Russian: Василий Иванович Суриков; 24 January 1848 – 19 March 1916) was a Russian Realist painter, active in Moscow during Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II's reigns, renowned for his large history pictures.
