Gogol is supported by the figures of his works to the grave 1873

Vasily Perov created this poignant pencil sketch, “Gogol is supported by the figures of his works to the grave,” in nineteenth-century Russia. Perov was a founder of the “Wanderers,” a society of artists who broke from the academic style to depict the realities of Russian life and critique social injustices. This sketch, a study for a larger painting never realized, imagines the funeral procession of Nikolai Gogol, a celebrated writer known for his satirical and often dark portrayals of Russian society. Here, Gogol is metaphorically supported by the very characters he brought to life in his stories. The mournful assembly embodies the weight of Gogol's literary legacy, and hints at the real social conditions he unveiled through his biting satire. Perov, through his art, often gave voice to the marginalized. In the wake of the great writer's death, he offers a powerful commentary on the artist's role in society and the lasting impact of their work.