Slavic mythology and religion in the works of Victor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Jerzy Przybył

Abstract

In my theoretical part, I was analyzing using Slavic Mythology in art. Due to this, my thesis was based on the idea that elements of Slavic mythology and religion in the works of Victor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Jerzy Przybył are a bridge between the past and the present. On the one hand, in the artistic form they bring back to life the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Slavic peoples and, on the other hand, they send a message which is relevant for today’s world. The works of the artists mentioned above remain in stark contrast to nationalistic use made of Slavic beliefs by far-right, neo-pagan groups (Slavic Native Faith). The characters from Slavic Mythology were well used in works of Victor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Jerzy Przybył. The aim of painting them was to show their vision of Slavic Mythology on paint. I started to write from the history of Slavs. This is the beginning of all culture, as the place where they were staying and the group to which they have belonged, played a big role. Unfortunately, the original resources of Slavic Mythology don't exist. But nowadays we have many types of research done by different sciences about the origins of Slavic Mythology and the content of it as tales, creatures. But in my work, I was writing about the first mention by Procopia Caesarea in 562. Why is it so important to underline the origins? As it is proof that Slavic people had their Gods. Because Slavic Mythology is not so developed and learned as Greek or Egyptian Mythology. And for people it may make some doubts. But these artists used the Slavic myth in their works to renew the topic. I analyzed the works of Victor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Jerzy Przybył. I took the paintings which had the most meaning for me. As the "Demon" by Mikhail Vrubel, "Bogatyri'' by Victor Vasnetsov and "Dazbog" by Jerzy Przybył. All of them are full of symbolism which refers to Slavic Mythology. In the first painting Bogatyr by Victor Vasnetsov. He painted the 3 heroes from Bogaturski Byliny. The second painting is a "Demon" by Mikhail Vrubel. In the books, the demon is more described as the spirit, but Vrubel decided to paint it as human. The third painting is "Dazbog". The Dazbog is the God of the sun. All of these artists had the same goal to tell the part of Slavic history. In the works of Vasnetsov people might see the nationalistic direction. But these paintings didn't have the aim to make their painting as a nationalist weapon. As Hitler did. He made part of the culture as the weapon to manipulate people in his goals, to make them believe that they are special nation. But these artists made a big contrast, they painted the Slavic Myth to show that our ancestors were more close with nature and they were caring and peaceful people. These paintings were made in purpose to tell the next generations about Slavic Gods. Also, nowadays the topic of Slavic mythology didn't die. Now, we can see it in different books and modern cartoons. Also, to my observation, I see that young people are more and more interested in Slavic Myth.