Famous Paintings in the Tretyakov Gallery: the Originals

1. Composition VII by Wassily Kandinsky, 1913
2. Black Square by Kazimir Malevich, 1915
3. Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1885 by Ilya Repin, 1883–1885
4. Morning in a Pine Forest by Ivan Shishkin, 1886
5. Unexpected Return. by Ilya Repin, 1884
6. Christ in the Desert by Ivan Kramskoi, 1872
7. Bathing of a Red Horse by Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, 1912
8. Portrait of a Woman by Ivan Kramskoi, 1883
9. Girl with Peaches by Valentin Serov, 1887
10. The Apotheosis of War by Vasily Vereshchagin, 1871

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   Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944)

   1. Composition VII by Wassily Kandinsky, 1913

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1913Oil on canvas200 × 300 cm

   Influenced by Theosophy, music (particularly Wagner), and a desire to connect art with the spiritual realm, he sought to liberate color and form from their descriptive roles. This artwork was created during his time with the influential “Der Blaue Reiter” group in Munich, alongside artists like Franz Marc and Paul Klee, who were similarly pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. It foreshadows the complete abandonment of recognizable imagery that would characterize much of 20th-century art.

   The originalOriginals by Wassily Kandinsky

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   Kazimir Malevich (1879–1935)

   2. Black Square by Kazimir Malevich, 1915

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1915Oil on canvas106 × 106 cm

   Emerging from the fervor of pre-revolutionary Russia, Black Square is the cornerstone of Malevich’s Suprematist movement. The symbolism embedded within Black Square is multifaceted.

   The originalOriginals by Kazimir Malevich

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   Ilya Repin (1844–1930)

   3. Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1885 by Ilya Repin, 1883–1885

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1883–1885Oil on canvas199.5 × 254 cm

   The oil-on-canvas work titled Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1885, was executed by the Russian realist artist Ilya Repin. This painting was created between 1883 and 1885. Following its completion, the oil-on-canvas work was sold by Ilya Repin to Pavel Tretyakov in 1885. On 1 April 1885, the work became the first painting to be censored in the Russian Empire. On 16 January 1913, the work was subject to an act of vandalism.

   The originalOriginals by Ilya Repin

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   Ivan Shishkin (1831–1898)

   4. Morning in a Pine Forest by Ivan Shishkin, 1886

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1886Oil on canvas139 × 213 cm

   Shishkin, a prominent figure in the Peredvizhniki movement, was known for his realistic depictions of landscapes. This artwork exemplifies his commitment to portraying nature with precision and sensitivity. The monochromatic palette enhances the moodiness and timelessness of the scene, making it a standout piece in the realm of 19th-century Russian art.

   The originalOriginals by Ivan Shishkin

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   Ilya Repin (1844–1930)

   5. Unexpected Return. by Ilya Repin, 1884

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1884Oil on canvas160 × 167 cm

   The scene depicts the arrival of a revolutionary exile, a man whose very presence brings the turbulent winds of the Narodnik movement into the quietude of a Russian home. As he stands prominently in the center, clutching his hat, the viewer is immediately drawn into a complex web of anticipation, relief, and lingering anxiety. Eschewing the vibrant, light-drenched palettes of the Impressionists, Repin utilized a more subdued and atmospheric color scheme, deeply rooted in the traditions of Russian landscape painting.

   The originalOriginals by Ilya Repin

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   Ivan Kramskoi (1837–1887)

   6. Christ in the Desert by Ivan Kramskoi, 1872

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1872Oil on canvas180 × 210 cm

   One of his most famous works is 'Christ in the Desert,' which depicts Jesus Christ during His 40-day fast in the wilderness. Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoy (1837-1887) was a Russian painter and art critic who played a significant role in the development of realism in Russia. The painting was completed in 1872 and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. 'Christ in the Desert' is an interpretation of the biblical story of Jesus Christ's 40-day fast in the wilderness.

   The originalOriginals by Ivan Kramskoi

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   Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin (1878–1939)

   7. Bathing of a Red Horse by Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, 1912

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1912Oil on canvas160 × 186 cm

   At first glance, the viewer is struck by an almost hypnotic color palette, dominated by a vibrant, saturated red that seems to pulse with its own internal life. Through this unconventional spatial arrangement, Petrov-Vodkin achieves a sense of monumental stability even amidst the swirling energy of the scene. The tension present in the painting—the weight of the horse against the lightness of the rider—mirrors the turbulent social and political shifts occurring in Russia at the dawn of the new century.

   The originalOriginals by Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin

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   Ivan Kramskoi (1837–1887)

   8. Portrait of a Woman by Ivan Kramskoi, 1883

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1883Oil on canvas75.5 × 99 cm

   The Portrait of a Woman by Ivan Kramskoi presents a quiet, introspective encounter with a young woman. This work, dated about 1885, captures a singular moment of stillness. The painting belongs to the Realism movement, yet it carries the subtle, shifting qualities of Realism with impressionistic influences from the 19th Century. In 1871, the canvas captures serene figures and nature through Water Nymphs, where rich colors meet a gentler touch. This weight of intellectual burden finds a different, more dramatic expression in Christ in the Desert, painted in 1872.

   The originalOriginals by Ivan Kramskoi

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   Valentin Serov (1865–1911)

   9. Girl with Peaches by Valentin Serov, 1887

   Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1887Oil on canvas91 × 85 cm

   In the quiet light of 1887, Valentin Serov captures a fleeting moment of childhood in his painting, Girl with Peaches. The scene centers on eleven-year-old Vera Mamontova, a young girl whose presence fills the space with a sense of calm. Vera is the daughter of Savva Mamontov, the influential industrialist and patron of the arts. Through this connection, the artist Valentin Serov finds himself immersed in the lively atmosphere of the Mamontov family circle.

   The originalOriginals by Valentin Serov

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    Vasily Vereshchagin (1842–1904)

    10. The Apotheosis of War by Vasily Vereshchagin, 1871

    Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow1871Oil on canvas127 × 197 cm

    The Apotheosis of War is an oil on canvas work by Vasily Vereshchagin, executed in 1871. This piece belongs to the artist's Turkestan Series, a body of work informed by his experiences during military campaigns in Central Asia. Vereshchagin provided a specific dedication for the work, inscribing it "to all great conquerors, past, present and to come." This inscription accompanies a grim depiction of the aftermath of conflict, focusing on the physical remains left upon the landscape. Created in 1871, the work emerged from the artist's experiences with the Imperial Russian Army during campaigns in Central Asia.

    The originalOriginals by Vasily Vereshchagin

1. 

   11. Bogatyrs

   Viktor Vasnetsov · 1881

   Oil on canvas · 295 × 446 cm

   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.

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   12. The Appearance of Christ Before the People

   Alexander Ivanov · 1847

   Oil on canvas · 540 × 750 cm

   Ivanov was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1806. In the center of the composition, John the Baptist stands upon the banks of the River Jordan. The artist worked on this specific composition over a period of two decades, beginning the process in 1837 and continuing until 1857.

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   13. Golden Autumn

   Isaac Levitan · 1895

   Oil on canvas · 82 × 126 cm

   As the eye wanders through the wide vista, one is immediately struck by the rhythmic dance of golden and amber foliage, where birch trees stand as silent sentinaries along the water's edge.

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   14. The Rooks Have Arrived

   Alexei Savrasov · 1871

   Oil on canvas · 62 × 48 cm

   It is a work by the Russian artist Alexei Savrasov. The museum, which was established in 1856, holds this work within its permanent collection. In Early spring, painted about 1870, the atmosphere carries a similar sense of seasonal shift.

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   15. Boyarynya Morozova

   Vasily Surikov · 1887

   Oil on canvas · 304 × 587 cm

   Surikov drew upon the grit of his childhood in Siberia to render this historical drama. The work is an oil on canvas of immense scale, measuring 304 cm in height and 587.5 cm in width. The paint holds the chill of the Russian winter within its very grain.

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   16. Krestny Khod

   Ilya Repin · 1883

   Oil on canvas · 175 × 280 cm

   There are at least 14 individuals visible in the image, each dressed in traditional clothing appropriate for the occasion. However, Repin refused this request, maintaining the integrity of his original vision.

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   17. Morning of the Strelets’ Execution

   Vasily Surikov · 1881

   Oil on canvas · 218 × 379 cm

   The work functions as a chronicle of the tension between traditional social structures and the sweeping reforms of the Tsars. Other significant pieces from his oeuvre include Foreigner and Stretlets Bidding Farewell to the People. Strelets in a Cap (study) The painting is held at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

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   18. Swan Princess

   Mikhail Vrubel · 1900

   Oil on canvas

   The Swan Princess (Царевна-Лебедь) is a significant work by the Russian artist Mikhail Vrubel. Upon its completion, the painting was immediately sought after by prominent Russian art patrons. It remained in private hands for a time before eventually entering the permanent collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

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   19. The Rider

   Karl Bryullov · 1832

   Oil on canvas · 292 × 206 cm

   Bryullov, born in Saint Petersburg in 1799, was deeply influenced by the Italian Renaissance masters – Raphael, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. The painting's exhibition at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in 1832 generated considerable buzz, with critics praising Bryullov’s ability to capture both the beauty and the drama of the subject matter.

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    20. At the Dressing-Table

    Zinaida Serebryakova · 1909

    Oil on canvas · 75 × 65 cm

    This painting depicts the artist herself in a moment of private grooming, captured while she was living near Neskuchnoye in the Kursk Governorate, which is located in present-day Ukraine. It was subsequently featured in the 7th exhibition of the Union of Russian Artists, which took place in 1910.

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    21. A Rye Field

    Ivan Shishkin · 1877

    Oil on canvas · 107 × 187 cm

    Shishkin, often celebrated as the "Soul of the Russian Forest," possessed an unparalleled ability to translate the botanical complexity of his homeland onto canvas.

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    22. Our Lady of the Don

    Theophanes the Greek · 1382

    Tempera on panel · 86 × 68 cm

    One tradition claims the icon was a gift from the Don Cossacks to Dmitry Donskoy on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. It is believed that Theophanes the Greek and his pupils may have crafted the work between c. 1382 and c. 1395.

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    23. Above the Eternal Peace

    Isaac Levitan · 1894

    Oil on canvas

    Levitan’s exploration of the "mood landscape" is evident in his earlier compositions, such as Silent cloister (1890). In Spring Flood (1897), he focused on the movement and presence of the landscape, a theme that evolved toward more expressive forms in his final years.

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    24. A Yard in Moscow

    Vasily Polenov · 1878

    Oil on canvas · 65 × 80 cm

    The painting titled A Yard in Moscow was executed by the artist Vasily Polenov. This work dates to 1878. Vasily Polenov was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. His life and artistic output spanned several decades until his death in 1927 in grange Borok, Tulskaya Province.

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    25. Peter the Great Interrogating the Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich at Peterhof

    Nikolai Ge · 1871

    Oil painting

    The composition centers on two figures positioned on opposite sides of a large, ornate table. The lighting creates a distinct contrast between the figures: the Tsarevich is illuminated by a pale, "lunar" light, while the face of Peter the Great is rendered with vigorous, contrasting shadows.

The Tretyakov Gallery (GTG, State Tretyakov Gallery, Tretyakov) — art gallery — in Moscow, Russian Federation. Its collection counts over 130,000 exhibits. Its highlights: Theotokos of Vladimir, Composition VII, Black Square, Russian icons. Our catalogue lists 713 of its paintings and works on paper, by 129 artists, dated 1288 to 1964.