Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 285 works by Vasily Surikov in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Vasily Surikov left, the most famous is Boyarynya Morozova (1887), in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Close behind it come Morning of the Strelets’ Execution (1881) and Townswoman (also known as A. Yemelyanova, née Schreider) (1902). Our catalog holds 285 works by Vasily Surikov; the gallery has kept the 100 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
Vasily Surikov painted Boyarynya Morozova in 1887. The canvas captures a moment of profound tension from the 17th-century church schism. At the center of this frozen movement, Feodosia Morozova is being taken to the ostrog. She sits within a sledge-rozvalnyh, a vessel of wood and shadow amidst the winter crowd.
Morning of the Strelets’ Execution, painted by Vasily Surikov in 1881, is a significant work of history painting. The canvas captures a moment of profound political upheaval within the Russian Empire. It focuses on the execution of rebellious Streltsy soldiers, the elite firearm infantry units, following their failed uprising against the authority of Peter the Great.
Vasili Ivanovich Surikov’s “Townswoman,” painted in 1902, isn't merely a portrait; it’s an arresting study in quiet strength and understated dignity. The canvas immediately draws the eye to its subject – a woman seated with a remarkable composure, her hands crossed before her chest, radiating an aura of self-assuredness that belies the simplicity of her attire. She wears a richly patterned scarf, a traditional head covering signifying modesty and respect,…
A massive column of Russian troops navigates a treacherous mountain pass during the winter of 1799. The scene captures the descent from the Panix ridge, a grueling segment of the Swiss campaign where soldiers faced extreme cold and vertical terrain. Amidst the chaos of the descent, General Alexander Suvorov appears on a white horse, maintaining a calm presence to steady his men. The composition uses a vertical orientation to emphasize…
Vasili Ivanovich Surikov's "Stretlets Bidding Farewell to the People," painted in 1879, isn’t merely a historical depiction; it’s a profound meditation on injustice, loyalty, and the enduring spirit of a nation grappling with change. Housed within the hallowed halls of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, this monumental canvas—measuring 57 x 33 centimeters—captures a pivotal, yet often overlooked, moment in Russian history: the execution of Streltsy, elite soldiers within the Tsar’s…
Vasili Ivanovich Surikov’s “A Tartar Horseman,” completed in 1894, is more than just a depiction of a man riding a horse; it's an immersive journey into the heartland of Russia during the late nineteenth century. Housed prominently at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow—a testament to its enduring significance—the painting exemplifies Surikov’s masterful approach to Russian Realism.
In the vertical portrait titled "Foreigner" by Vasily Surikov, the composition focuses primarily on a single male figure that fills most of the frame. The subject is depicted in an elaborate period costume, positioned in a way that creates a sense of intimacy through the lack of significant depth in the background. He is captured in a contemplative pose, holding a finger to his lips in a gesture that suggests…
A Portrait of Siberian Resilience: Vasily Ivanovich Surikov’s “Siberian Belle” Vasili Ivanovich Surikov (1848-1916) stands as one of the most revered figures in Russian art history, a painter whose canvases transcend mere visual representation to embody profound explorations of Russia's spirit. Born in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia—a landscape steeped in hardship and tradition—Surikov’s formative years instilled within him an unwavering dedication to portraying the realities of rural Russian society with unflinching honesty.…
In the vast landscape of Russian Realism, few moments feel as intimate or as profoundly human as Vasily Ivanovich Surikov’s 1882 masterpiece, Old Man in a Kitchen Garden. This evocative oil on canvas invites the viewer into a private, silent world, far removed from the grand, sweeping historical dramas for which Surikov is often celebrated. Here, the focus shifts from the clash of empires to the quiet dignity of the…
The oil on canvas work titled Belshazzar's Feast was executed by the artist Vasily Surikov. This specific piece was completed in 1874. It is categorized as a religious painting, focusing on a scene from the biblical narrative found in the Book of Daniel.
Isba1873
12
Portrait of A. I. Surikov1889
13
The old woman with a patterned headscarf1886
14
Evening in Petersburg1871
15
Milan's Cathedral1884
16
Self-Portrait1879 · Tretyakov Gallery
17
Monk1907
18
The fight of good spirits against evil spirits1875
19
Wife of the bearded archer (Etude for the picture morning of the execution of the Strelitz," 1881)"1879 · Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts
20
Venice. Saint Mark's Basilica.1884
21
I. Ostroukov at the Easel1884
22
The model in the ancient russian costume1882
23
Whacky, seated on the snow (Study to "Boyarynya Morozova")1885
24
Italian women1884
25
Cossack-rower1892
26
Study of khakasy1892
27
Boyarynya Morozova (study)1887
28
Krasnoyarsk rebellion1902
29
Executioner1891
30
Kneeling beggar1886
31
Girl with a red jacket1892
32
Kyrgyz1894
33
Soldier's head in a cocked hat1898
34
Head of khakasy1893
35
Soldier1898
36
Soldier with drum1898
37
Soldier with gun1898
38
Old soldier descending from the snowy mountain1898
39
The head of soldier-drummer1898
40
Big masquerade in 1772 on the streets of Moscow with the participation of Peter I and princer I. F. Romodanovsky1900
41
Pugachev1911
42
Self-Portrait1910
43
Stepan Razin1910
44
Portrait of woman with yellow background1911
45
Stepan Razin1906
46
Portrait of M. P. Konchalovsky in childhood1915
47
Man with an Injured Arm1913
48
Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus1876
49
Strelets in a Cap (study)1879 · Tretyakov Gallery
50
T. Domozhilova1891 · Tretyakov Gallery
51
Head of a Fool1885 · Tretyakov Gallery
52
Russian Troops under Suvorov Crossing the Alps (study)1899
53
Hand of boyarynya Morozova
54
Mountains near Krasnoyarsk1909
55
The Persian1902
56
Boyarynya Morozova (study)1883
57
An Italian Girl1884 · Tretyakov Gallery
58
Cossack Dmitry Sokol1893
59
Head of a Grinning Priest1885 · Tretyakov Gallery
60
Cossack with gun1893
61
Portrait of governor Zamyatnin1865
62
Under the rain by the coach to Black River1871
63
Temptation of Christ1872
64
Samovar1876
65
Assassination of Julius Caesar1875
66
Minusinsk steppe1873
67
Belfry Ivan the Great1876
68
View of Kremlin at winter1876
69
Tartar Woman from Minusinsk1873
70
Siberian landscape. Torgoshyno.1873
71
Minusinsk Steppe1873
72
Wanderer1885
73
The Good Samaritan1874
74
Samovar1876
75
Minusinsk. On the way.1873
76
Khakasy with his feet bound with chains1873
77
A rich man and Lazarus1873
78
Christ Driving the Merchants from the Temple1873
79
Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon1876
80
Male nude1874
81
On Nevsky Prospekt on day1874
82
Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople1876
83
On Nevsky Prospekt at night1874
84
First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea1876
85
Naples. Vesuvius.1884
86
Saint Peter's Cathedral in Rome1884
87
Female figures, wanderer, whacky (Study to ''Boyarynya Morozova'')1884
88
Roses in a Goblet1884
89
Moscow yard1880
90
Zubovsky boulevard in winter1881
91
Blackbearded old man1879
92
Bit of Moscow1880
93
Portrait of I. S. Ostroukhov1884
94
Sophia Kropotkina with a Guitar1879
95
St. Peter's in Rome1884
96
Road in Khotkovo1884
97
Winter in Moscow1885
98
Portrait of N. S. Matveev1881
99
The elder Menshikov's daughter1882
100
Naples1884
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Vasily Surikov | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tretyakov Gallery |
Moscow | 15 | Boyarynya Morozova, Morning of the Strelets’ Execution, Townswoman (also known as A. Yemelyanova, née Schreider) |
 Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts |
Yekaterinburg | 1 | Wife of the bearded archer (Etude for the picture morning of the execution of the Strelitz," 1881)" |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
Vasili Ivanovich Surikov's "Stretlets Bidding Farewell to the People," painted in 1879, isn’t merely a historical depiction; it’s a profound meditation on injustice, loyalty, and the enduring spirit of a nation grappling with change. Housed within the hallowed halls of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, this monumental canvas—measuring 57 x 33 centimeters—captures a pivotal, yet often overlooked, moment in Russian history: the execution of Streltsy, elite soldiers within the Tsar’s…
Vasily Surikov painted Boyarynya Morozova in 1887. The canvas captures a moment of profound tension from the 17th-century church schism. At the center of this frozen movement, Feodosia Morozova is being taken to the ostrog. She sits within a sledge-rozvalnyh, a vessel of wood and shadow amidst the winter crowd.
A massive column of Russian troops navigates a treacherous mountain pass during the winter of 1799. The scene captures the descent from the Panix ridge, a grueling segment of the Swiss campaign where soldiers faced extreme cold and vertical terrain. Amidst the chaos of the descent, General Alexander Suvorov appears on a white horse, maintaining a calm presence to steady his men. The composition uses a vertical orientation to emphasize…
Vasili Ivanovich Surikov’s “Townswoman,” painted in 1902, isn't merely a portrait; it’s an arresting study in quiet strength and understated dignity. The canvas immediately draws the eye to its subject – a woman seated with a remarkable composure, her hands crossed before her chest, radiating an aura of self-assuredness that belies the simplicity of her attire. She wears a richly patterned scarf, a traditional head covering signifying modesty and respect,…
This monochromatic sketch presents a study of a man, identified as Pugachev, rendered in charcoal or pencil on paper. The figure is depicted from the chest up, positioned in a three-quarter view facing toward the viewer's left. The subject's face is defined by heavy, dark lines that trace the contours of the eyes, nose, and mouth, alongside the texture of a beard and hair. Behind the figure, vertical and horizontal…
Boyarynya Morozova (1887), Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Morning of the Strelets’ Execution (1881) and Townswoman (also known as A. Yemelyanova, née Schreider) (1902) come next.
39 years old: Boyarynya Morozova dates from 1887, and Vasily Surikov was born in 1848.
Boyarynya Morozova, Morning of the Strelets’ Execution, Townswoman (also known as A. Yemelyanova, née Schreider), Suvorov Crossing the Alps, Stretlets Bidding Farewell to the People, A Tartar Horseman, Foreigner, Siberian Belle (also known as E. Rachkovskaya), Old Man in a Kitchen Garden and Belshazzar's Feast. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 285 works by Vasily Surikov, dated from 1865 to 1915.
Mostly in Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow) and Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts (Yekaterinburg). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1870s: 34 of the 100 works on this page were made then, Stretlets Bidding Farewell to the People among them.
On this page, the earliest is Portrait of governor Zamyatnin (1865) and the latest Portrait of M. P. Konchalovsky in childhood (1915).
Portrait (12), Man (11) and 19th century russia (9), across the 100 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 28 of the 100 works on this page.
Realism, judging by the originals on this page.
Boyarynya Morozova, Morning of the Strelets’ Execution and Townswoman (also known as A. Yemelyanova, née Schreider): the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow holds 13 of the works on this page.
Vasily Ivanovich Surikov stands as one of the most celebrated figures in Russian art history, a painter whose canvases capture not merely visual representations but profound explorations of Russia’s soul. Born in 1848 in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Surikov's early life was marked by hardship and familial struggles—a formative experience that instilled within him an unwavering dedication to portraying the realities of rural Russian society with unflutched honesty. This commitment would become the cornerstone of his artistic vision, propelling him to create monumental works that continue to resonate powerfully today.
His artistic sensibilities were nurtured by a fascination with folklore and peasant life, themes deeply prevalent in Siberian culture. His father, a teacher, instilled in him a love for literature and history, shaping his intellectual curiosity and providing the foundation for his meticulous research into historical subjects. Recognizing Surikov’s talent, his father secured him admission to the St Petersburg Academy of Arts, where he honed his skills under the guidance of masters like Konstantin Dmitrievich Makovsky and Ivan Alekseyevich Kramskoy. These influential figures championed Realism as a dominant artistic style, encouraging Surikov to depict everyday life with psychological depth and emotional resonance.
Surikov’s oeuvre is characterized by an extraordinary ability to convey atmosphere and emotion through masterful technique. He employed a distinctive approach to painting, meticulously studying the nuances of light and color to achieve unparalleled realism. His brushstrokes were deliberate and expressive, capturing not just what was seen but also what was felt—a hallmark of the Realist movement’s ambition to depict human experience truthfully. His canvases are renowned for their dramatic compositions and evocative lighting, transporting viewers directly into the heart of Russia's most turbulent eras.
The artist gained wide recognition for his large-scale paintings devoted to pivotal episodes from Russian history. These works were distinguished by their immense scale, rigorous attention to historical detail, and a profound psychological expressiveness that breathed life into historical figures. Some of his most enduring contributions to the art world include:
As a prominent member of the Peredvizhniki (The Wanderers) movement and the Union of Russian Artists, Surikov played a vital role in shifting the focus of Russian art toward national identity and social truth. His work bridged the gap between academic tradition and a new, visceral realism that sought to document the struggles and triumphs of the common people alongside the grand narratives of the Tsars. Through his lens, history was not merely a collection of dates, but a living, breathing drama of human will.
Today, the masterpieces of Vasily Surikov are preserved in the world's most prestigious collections, including the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg. His influence persists as a testament to his ability to transform historical research into emotional truth, ensuring that his vision of the Russian spirit remains an indelible part of the global artistic heritage.
