"The Apotheosis of the War", Vasily Vereshchagin, 1871

The metaphor of the war in the picture is conveyed by the author so precisely and deeply that behind every skull lying in this pile, you begin to see people. With a deep analysis, one can imagine the destinies of those who will never see these people again. Vereshchagin himself with sarcasm called the canvas "still life" - it depicts "dead nature". All the details of the painting, including the yellow color, symbolize death and devastation. A clear blue sky emphasizes the deadness of the picture. The idea of ​​"Apotheosis of War" is also expressed by scars from sabers and holes from bullets on turtles.

Vereshchagin is one of the main Russian battle-painters, but he drew wars and battles because he tried to convey to people their negative attitude towards the war.

Once Vereshchagin exclaimed: "I will not write any more battle paintings - basta! I take too close to my heart what I write, I cry out (literally) the grief of every wounded and killed. " Probably, the result of this cry was a terrible and fascinating picture "The Apotheosis of War."