The painting "The Wanderer" by Vasily Grigorievich Perov portrays the image of noble poverty and human dignity

"The Wanderer" is a painting by Vasily Grigorievich Perov, created under the impression of the appearance of an elderly beggar, whose fate the artist was involved in. The portrait became a picturesque embodiment of one of the Gospel themes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Before us is a person from the most destitute layer of society. This is evidenced by the frayed hem of his coat, patched with pieces of different fabrics. The wanderer's bag is tied with strings, and a faded umbrella is attached to it. There is a tin cup hanging from his belt. The walking stick, bast shoes, and bandages leave no doubt that the man leads a vagabond life, but his beard and hair are clean, neatly combed.

The artist used a limited range of brown and gray shades for his work. His character stands on stone slabs next to a wall, possibly in the porch of a temple. The upper part is better illuminated, so the artist emphasized the face, torso, and hands. The old man's pose is free, he asks nothing from those around him. However, his inquisitive gaze hides the question, "Can you give me more than I have?"

Vasily Perov. Painting The Wanderer, 1870

• Title of the painting: "The Wanderer" (Russian: «Странник»).
• Artist: Vasily Grigorievich Perov (Russian: Васи́лий Григо́рьевич Перо́в) (1833-1882).
• Year of creation: 1870.
• Size: 54.7 x 89.5 сm.
• Style: Realism.
• Genre: Portrait.
• Technique: Oil painting.
• Material: Canvas.
• Location: State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.

Vasily Grigorievich Perov was a remarkable Russian painter whose creative activity flourished in the mid-19th century. He painted in a realistic style, striving to depict the truth of life. Many of his characters were common people. Together with Alexei Kondratyevich Savrasov and Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoy, Perov participated in the creation of the itinerant exhibition movement, aiming to introduce a wide audience to the best examples of visual art.

"The Wanderer" is one of his renowned works, created by the artist after meeting the former serf, Khristofor Barsky. The protagonist of the painting was left homeless and landless after the abolition of serfdom since he had worked for many years at the nobleman's estate. The owner sold the estate and left abroad, showing no concern for the fate of his servants.

At the time of the encounter with the artist, the old man was 85 years old and had spent over nine years wandering. Despite his hardships, the former servant categorically refused to accept charity and earned his bread through his own labor. The dignified and noble appearance of Barsky deeply impressed the painter, prompting him to eagerly take up the brush to capture the image of the old man.

Vasily Grigorievich Perov's painting "The Wanderer" earned the approval of his contemporaries. It embodies a profound meaning, a subtle sense of psychology, and the nuances of the complex character of a representative from the poorest social stratum. After the artist's death, the work found a worthy place in the famous gallery of Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, where it is exhibited to this day.