Alexei and Sergei Tkachyov finished ‘The Fate of a Veteran’ in the early 1990’s. The painting’s intention is to explore the theme of caring for someone else’s grief. The artists conceived the painting’s subject from real life. One day they were walking past one of Moscow’s gateways and noticed an elderly woman. She was standing with a sign which read: “Please, help to bury my husband, a veteran of the war.” She held a smart suit with military orders and medals. Next to her a hat lay on the ground, for passers-by to donate their money. The artists noticed that there were no large notes there - in fact, it was mainly full of small coins.
Art historian Anna Diyakonitsyna notes that all of the brothers’ works - from their early paintings to their most recent works - is distinguished by a unique sensitivity and attention to the fate experienced by other people. ‘It is no coincidence that their interest lies in larger paintings, which can not only collate their studies, but can also reflect an opinion on the civil and ethical issues as well as their own reflections on the past and future of the country. This attention to the thoughtful aspect of art, in an attempt to “combine beauty and truth” has been and remains to be one of the most striking features of our national culture.’
They realized that the donations were all given by poor people, like the woman herself.
They decided to recreate this scene on canvas. They didn’t want to make the viewers feel sympathy for her or just exhibit the happening. Instead, by using this real-life example of a woman and her husband, a veteran of the war, the artists tried to reveal a whole generation’s tragedy. This painting recognizes the fact that the very people who had saved the country from fascist invasion were now being forgotten in peace time.
The artists imbued the painting with such lifelike accuracy that it often stirs deep emotions from the viewer.
They decided to recreate this scene on canvas. They didn’t want to make the viewers feel sympathy for her or just exhibit the happening. Instead, by using this real-life example of a woman and her husband, a veteran of the war, the artists tried to reveal a whole generation’s tragedy. This painting recognizes the fact that the very people who had saved the country from fascist invasion were now being forgotten in peace time.
The artists imbued the painting with such lifelike accuracy that it often stirs deep emotions from the viewer.
The museum’s attendants have often noticed that people from older generations with cry in front of it. At an exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Victory Day, the artists recount that there was always a bouquet of white flowers lying next it. The brothers explained, ‘We are not at all sentimental people. But the attention from the viewers sat well in our hearts. It means that they didn’t fight in vain.’
Art historian Anna Diyakonitsyna notes that all of the brothers’ works - from their early paintings to their most recent works - is distinguished by a unique sensitivity and attention to the fate experienced by other people. ‘It is no coincidence that their interest lies in larger paintings, which can not only collate their studies, but can also reflect an opinion on the civil and ethical issues as well as their own reflections on the past and future of the country. This attention to the thoughtful aspect of art, in an attempt to “combine beauty and truth” has been and remains to be one of the most striking features of our national culture.’
