The artwork “Baptism of Prince Vladimir, Fragment of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv” was created by Viktor Vasnetsov between 1885 and 1893. It belongs to the Romanticism art movement and the history painting genre.
The artwork captures a significant historical moment, the baptism of Prince Vladimir, a pivotal event in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Central to the composition is Prince Vladimir, depicted with a halo, indicating his sanctified status. He is being baptized in a large stone font, surrounded by clergy and onlookers. The clergy, vested in ornate liturgical garments, conducts the sacred ceremony with solemn reverence. The architectural background, featuring arches and columns with intricate designs, suggests the interior of a grand cathedral, enhancing the solemnity and sacredness of the scene. The use of rich colors and detailed textures by Vasnetsov contributes to the dramatic and reverent atmosphere, characteristic of Romanticism.
