Rus: The Soul of the People 1916

Mikhail Nesterov’s 1916 painting, “Rus: The Soul of the People”, is a large-scale work depicting a religious procession on the banks of the Volga River. The composition is dominated by a multitude of figures, both clergy and laypeople, clad in traditional Russian garb. The painting is imbued with a sense of spirituality and reverence, representing the deeply held religious beliefs of the Russian people. The artist, known for his symbolic and historicist approach, used the painting to explore the soul of Russia through its religious and cultural identity, highlighting the enduring significance of faith in the nation’s history. The painting is a key example of Russian Symbolism and is on display at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.