Vladimir and Rogneda

Vladimir and Rogneda
ArtistAnton Losenko
Year1770
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions211,5 cm × 177,5 cm (833 in × 699 in)
LocationState Russian Museum, Saint Petersburg

Vladimir and Rogneda[1][2] or Vladimir before Rogneda[3] is a painting by Russian artist Anton Losenko (1737-1773), completed in 1770. It is held in the State Russian Museum (Inventory No. Zh-4975) and measures 211.5 × 177.5 cm.[1][2][4] The painting's narrative is based on the events of the 10th-century Russian internecine war, as described in the Rus' chronicle.[5] The principal figures are Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich of Novgorod and Rogneda, daughter of Prince Rogvolod of Polotsk.[4] The action depicted on the canvas is set in Polotsk, in the princely chambers of Rogneda.[6]

Following his return from a long pensioner's trip in 1769, the Imperial Academy of Arts invited Losenko to submit a painting on a theme related to Vladimir and Rogneda in order to be considered for the title of academician.[3][7][8] The painting was completed in 1770 and subsequently presented to the public at the academic exhibition that same year. In June 1770, the Council of the Academy of Arts awarded Losenko with the title of Academician, by unanimous decision.[9] Losenko's canvas was among the first paintings on a subject from Russian history.[10]

According to art historian Alexei Savinov, the painting Vladimir and Rogneda was a "new word in Russian painting,"[11] and with its completion, Losenko rose "to the first row of Russian artists of the second half of the 18th century."[12] Art historian Avraam Kaganovich wrote that, "for its vivid psychological composition of characters, Losenko's 'Vladimir before Rogneda' became the first piece in the series of Russian historical genre works."[13] According to art historian Nonna Yakovleva, Losenko's canvas was "'destined' for both success and criticism": on one hand, it was a long-anticipated work on a Russian historical theme; on the other, various elements within it raised doubts—particularly the lack of pathos in the main character and the "denseness and flatness of the composition," which conflicted with academic principles.[14]

  1. ^ a b State Russian Museum catalogue (1980, p. 186)
  2. ^ a b State Russian Museum catalogue, vol. 1 (1998, p. 119)
  3. ^ a b Kaganovich (1963, p. 150)
  4. ^ a b "Losenko A. P. — Vladimir i Rogneda. 1770" Лосенко А. П. — Владимир и Рогнеда. 1770 [Losenko A. P. - Vladimir and Rogneda. 1770]. Virtual Russian Museum — rusmuseumvrm.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  5. ^ Anisimov (2020, p. 29)
  6. ^ Kaganovich (1963, p. 156)
  7. ^ Vereshchagina (1973, p. 13)
  8. ^ Petinova (2001, p. 49)
  9. ^ Kaganovich (1963, p. 171)
  10. ^ Petinova (2008, p. 385)
  11. ^ Savinov (1948, p. 21)
  12. ^ Savinov (1948, p. 23)
  13. ^ Kaganovich (1963, p. 170)
  14. ^ Yakovleva (2005, p. 63)