“Kalmyk Chapel,” an artwork created by Vasily Vereshchagin between 1869 and 1870, exemplifies the Realism and Orientalism movements through its detailed genre painting. This masterpiece is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
The artwork portrays an intimate interior scene of a Kalmyk Buddhist chapel. Three monks are seen engaged in their spiritual practices, surrounded by religious ornaments and intricate hanging thangkas depicting Buddhist deities. The room is adorned with vibrant colors and detailed patterns, reflecting the cultural richness and spiritual ambiance of the setting. The composition is designed to draw the viewer’s attention to the meticulous details, such as the textures of the clothing, the delicate craftsmanship of the decor, and the serene yet focused expressions of the monks, thereby encapsulating the essence of Realism and Orientalism in Vereshchagin’s oeuvre.
