The artwork titled “Kalmyk-lama,” created by Vasily Vereshchagin between 1869 and 1870, is a quintessential example of Realism and Orientalism within the genre painting category. It forms part of Vereshchagin’s renowned Turkestan series and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts two figures dressed in traditional attire. One figure, mounted on a dark horse, is dressed in a bright yellow robe with a red and yellow headdress, holding a whip in hand. The other figure, standing beside the horse, wears an orange-brown robe and a hat with a red tassel. Both figures are depicted against a plain, light-colored wall, which casts their shadows prominently. The scene captures a moment of interaction between the two figures, emphasizing the cultural and historical context of the era. Vereshchagin’s attention to detail and use of vivid colors bring the characters and their surroundings to life, characteristic of his realistic and immersive painting style.
