Artwork
By the wayside shrine
By the wayside shrine is an oil painting by the Realist artist Fyodor Bronnikov. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of a friar further underscores the institutional presence of the Church within these local customs.
The painting depicts a peasant woman pausing beside a small wayside shrine, a common motif in 19th-century Russian genre scenes that underscores popular piety and daily devotion. The shrine itself, typically containing an icon or religious image, is shown as a modest structure integrated into the landscape, emphasizing its role as a focal point for communal and personal spiritual practice. The peasant’s presence, dressed in traditional Ciociaro costume, suggests a moment of quiet reverence or supplication, aligning with the broader theme of humble faith in rural life. The inclusion of a friar further underscores the institutional presence of the Church within these local customs.
Technique & Style
Fyodor Bronnikov's By the wayside shrine is an oil painting executed on canvas in 1858. The work measures 96 cm in height and 73 cm in width. As a genre scene, the composition depicts a peasant in Ciociaro costume alongside a friar engaged in devotion before a wayside shrine.
The artist employs oil paint to render these figures and the setting, focusing on the interplay of light and texture characteristic of the period's genre art.
History & Provenance
Fyodor Bronnikov created the oil painting By the wayside shrine in 1858. Executed on canvas, the work depicts a peasant in Ciociaro costume engaging in devotion before a wayside shrine, accompanied by a friar. The painting entered the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, where it remains housed.
Overview
By the Wayside Shrine is a 1858 oil painting by Fyodor Bronnikov, a Russian artist who worked primarily in Italy. The work is part of the Tretyakov Gallery's collection.
Context
Roadside shrines, like the one depicted, were common in rural areas, serving as sites for prayer and devotion. They played a significant role in daily life, often marking important locations or providing a space for travelers to pause and reflect.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Fyodor Andreyevich Bronnikov (Russian: Фёдор Андреевич Бронников; 17 September 1827–14 September 1902) was a Russian-born history and genre painter who spent most of his life in Italy.
