Yermak

Alexey Antonov’s Studio
2012

Yermak is remembered along with the most prominent Russian statesmen and heroes. His bold campaign to the East, “towards the Sun”, marks the first step in the long conquest of Siberia — the process that would turn the modern Russia into a superpower. Yermak Timofeyevich revered in Siberia back at the end of the 16th century, and by the 19th century the Cossack Ataman became a national hero.

Yermak Timofeyevich, ? – 1585. The ataman (Chieftain) of a Cossack detachment who defeated the Siberian Khanate and initiated Russia’s annexation of Siberia.

History

At the end of the 16th century, the territory of Russia stretched to the Ural Mountains, and the vast expanses beyond the mountain range, to the East, belonged to the Siberian Khanate. The life on the frontier was far from peaceful. Vast lands in the Urals were owned by the Stroganoffs, merchants and factory owners, who, in fear of the regular clashes with the Tatars, offered Yermak to lead a campaign against the Siberian Khan Kuchum.

By that time Yermak had been a Cossack in the Wild Steppe (the Steppes in the Upper Don region) for many years, showing courage and bravery. The Ataman defeated the Khan, crushed the Siberian Tatars in several battles (where he, in addition to other weapons, used firearms) and gained a foothold in Isker, formerly the capital of the Khanate. He began collecting tribute on the spot and sent messengers to Tsar Ivan the Terrible with the news of submission of Siberia and its annexation by the Russian State. Shortly thereafter Yermak was ambushed and killed in a battle. But the progress of the Russians into Siberia was unstoppable.

Yermak’s name was immortalised in folk songs and legends praising his courage, bravery, and unmatched power.

The Stone

Despite the similarity of the two models for Yermak’s figure, the image interpretation in Alexey Antonov’s Artistic Workshop differs significantly from the work previously displayed. This interpretation is less metaphoric; its colours are not so bright and elegant.

But the masters were able to achieve realistic credibility of the image. We see a man in his everyday life that is emphasized with the simple sheepskin coat made of Aushkul jasper and varicoloured chalcedony agate. The chainmail from hematite and the extra armour from pyrite that the Cossack is wearing over it look like true weaponry free of any extra shine that have just been produced in a gunsmith’s workshop. The rare pure pale pink rhodonite chosen for the shirt adds a fresh note to the “hushed” colours.

In this image of the conqueror of Siberia, snow created from a brush of small chalcedony crystals is rather interpreted as an expression of the specific weather conditions than an allegory.

John Bell
Travels from St. Petersburg to Various Parts of Asia

John Bell was a Scottish physician. He travelled across Russia in the early 18th century, making detailed records of historic evidence provided by the locals.

About the beginning of the last century, a certain Don-Cossack, named Yarmak Timotheovicz, being obliged, by some accident, to leave his native country, and having no means of subsistence, he, with a few accomplices, betook themselves to robbing on the highways. He soon became famous and powerful; for he robbed only the rich; and, by a generousity common in such a character, liberally bestowed to such as were in want. He never killed, nor even hurt any person, unless compelled to such outrages in his own defence. This behaviour so raised his reputation, that all the idle fellows in the country enlisted themselves in his gang, proud to follow to brave and enterprising leader. He became at last so troublesome that the governors of the southern provinces sent out troops to apprehend him; but, previously informed of the design, he withdrew from the land, and procuring boats upon the Volga, commenced pirate on that river. Being attacked here also, he was forced to cross the Caspian Sea, and shelter himself on the Persian shore, where he passed some time under disguise of a merchant. Being again discovered, he was obliged by the Persians to quit their coast: and now his only refuge was to return to the Volga, where he behaved with great circumspection, often lurking in woods and villages; and, being in no want of money, paid the inhabitants liberally for everything he needed. Foreseeing however that such a numerous gang could not be long concealed, he took the resolution of leaving the Volga, and steered his course up the river Kama, at that time little frequented by the Russians or any other nation; here he hoped to find, at least, a safe retreat during the winter. Yermak, therefore, with his followers, amounting to the number of two hundred, continued their voyage up the Kama, till they were stopped by the ice, at no great distance from the village, now belonging to Baron Stroganoff. The inhabitants were alarmed at the sight of so many armed men, whom they were not able to oppose, and therefore gave them an hospitable reception. Yermak demanded only the provisions, and winter quarters for his money, promising to leave them unmolested next spring. In consequence of such declaration, he and his followers passed the winter very quietly in this remote place; afraid, however, at the approach of summer, of being discovered by the government, and uncertain what course to steer; it was at last determined to cross the mountains of Verchaturia, and go to the eastward, in hopes of finding some uninhabited country or, at least, a safe retreat.