Atelier — Complimentary worldwide shipping — Delivery 2–6 weeks
      Viktor Vasnetsov, 1848 – 1926

      Viktor Vasnetsov: The 100 Best-Known Paintings

      Of all Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings, Bogatyrs (1881) is the most famous; it hangs in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Close behind come A Knight At the Crossroads (1878) and Christ Almighty (1896). Among the 234 works by Viktor Vasnetsov in our catalogue, these 100 are the most celebrated, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.

      Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated October 2026. Each painting on this page can be ordered as an oil reproduction painted by hand on linen canvas, or as a fine art print, made to the size you choose.

      Portrait of Viktor Vasnetsov
      Viktor Vasnetsov · 1848 – 1926
      Born · died
      1848 – 1926, Lopyal
      Movement
      Realism
      Works in our catalogue
      234
      Most famous
      Bogatyrs (1881)
      Most works at
      Tretyakov Gallery

      Viktor Vasnetsov's 10 most celebrated paintings

      Bogatyrs (1881) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      1

      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…

      Christ Almighty (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      3

      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…

      Judgement Day (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      4

      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…

      Boyan (1910) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      6

      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.

      The Last Judgement (1904) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      7

      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.

      Descent into Hell (1904) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      8

      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,…

      God of hosts (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      9

      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…

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

      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…

      Viktor Vasnetsov paintings ranked 11 to 100

      Ivan Zarevitsh (1880) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      #12

      Ivan Zarevitsh

      1880 · Finnish National Gallery

      The composition is vertically oriented, centering on two figures mounted upon a large wolf. They move through a dense, shadowy forest where the light is filtered through a…

      Bring this light home →
      The Snow Maiden by Viktor Vasnetsov
      #43

      The Snow Maiden

      { "description": "Subject and Composition This captivating artwork captures a tranquil winter landscape, where a solitary young girl stands amidst a snow-blanketed terrain. Her contemplative posture and gentle…

      Order this canvas →
      Lull (1881) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      #46

      Lull

      1881

      A Moment of Tranquility: Exploring Vasnetsov’s ‘Lull’ Viktor Vasnetsov’s 1881 painting, ‘Lull,’ offers a captivating glimpse into the Russian countryside. The artwork depicts a serene forested landscape centered…

      Have it painted by hand →
      Russian Bishops (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov
      #49

      Russian Bishops

      1896

      In the profound stillness of Viktor Vasnetsov’s 1896 fresco, Russian Bishops, we are invited into a sacred moment that transcends the boundaries of mere portraiture. This evocative work…

      What Viktor Vasnetsov painted most

      The four subjects that return most often on these canvases, each with its best-loved example.

      Where Viktor Vasnetsov's canvases hang

      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

      Decade by decade: Viktor Vasnetsov's most celebrated canvas

      1. 1860s
      2. 1870s
        A Knight At the Crossroads (1878) by Viktor Vasnetsov
        Canvas 2 of 100

        A Knight At the Crossroads

        Age 22 – 31 · The State Russian Museum

        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…

      3. 1880s
        Bogatyrs (1881) by Viktor Vasnetsov
        1 of 100

        Bogatyrs

        Age 32 – 41 · Tretyakov Gallery

        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.…

      4. 1890s
        Christ Almighty (1896) by Viktor Vasnetsov
        3 of 100

        Christ Almighty

        Age 42 – 51

        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…

      5. 1900s
        The Last Judgement (1904) by Viktor Vasnetsov
        Canvas 7 of 100

        The Last Judgement

        Age 52 – 61

        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.…

      6. 1910s
        Boyan (1910) by Viktor Vasnetsov
        6 of 100

        Boyan

        Age 62 – 71

        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…

      7. 1920s

      Your questions on Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings, answered

      Which is the most celebrated painting by Viktor Vasnetsov?Read the answer

      Bogatyrs (1881), Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. A Knight At the Crossroads (1878) and Christ Almighty (1896) follow.

      How old was Viktor Vasnetsov at the time of Bogatyrs?Read the answer

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

      Which ten paintings is Viktor Vasnetsov most famous for?Read 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). Each canvas in the ranking above comes with its year and its museum.

      How many paintings by Viktor Vasnetsov are known?Read the answer

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

      Which museums hold Viktor Vasnetsov's best-known canvases?Read the answer

      Mostly in Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow), The State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg) and Kiev National Picture Gallery (Kyiv); the list above names each museum and its canvases.

      In which years did Viktor Vasnetsov paint the most celebrated canvases?Read the answer

      In 1880s, which gave 39 of the 100 works on this page, Bogatyrs among them.

      What are the first and the last of Viktor Vasnetsov's famous canvases?Read the answer

      The earliest canvas here is Russian proverbs and sayings (1867); the latest is Flying carpet (1926).

      Which subjects return most often in Viktor Vasnetsov's paintings?Read the answer

      Men (19), Women (16) and Portraits (14), across the 100 works on this page.

      What did Viktor Vasnetsov usually paint with?Read the answer

      Oil On Canvas, used in 6 of the 100 works on this page.

      To which art movement does Viktor Vasnetsov belong?Read the answer

      Realism, as the canvases on this page show.

      Can I order a hand-painted copy of a painting by Viktor Vasnetsov?Read the answer

      Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered from its own page as an oil reproduction painted by hand, or as a fine art print, in the size you choose.

      Viktor Vasnetsov: the painter's story

      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.

      All 234 works by Viktor Vasnetsov →