The artwork titled “After good luck” is a genre painting created by Vasily Vereshchagin in 1868. Employing oil on canvas as his medium, Vereshchagin belongs to the art movements of Realism and Orientalism. This painting forms part of his Turkestan series and measures 47 x 39 cm.
The scene depicted in the artwork features two men engaged in a seemingly intense and dramatic exchange. One man, adorned in a white turban and red garment, holds aloft the severed head of another individual by the hair, adding a grim and macabre element to the scene. His expression and posture convey a sense of triumph or display. The other man, dressed in embroidered traditional attire and a distinctive white hat, gazes intently at the head, his posture appearing to signify intrigue or contemplation. The background illustrates a desolate, sandy landscape with birds in flight, further emphasizing the stark and arid environment. The attention to detail in the characters’ clothing and the expressive rendering of their faces highlight Vereshchagin’s commitment to realism and his keen observation of cultural elements, which are characteristic of Orientalist themes. The composition and subject matter evoke a narrative of conflict, conquest, or survival, underscored by the vivid and poignant visual storytelling.
