Suvorov crossing the Alps

Suvorov crossing the Alps is an 1899 painting by Vasily Surikov, painted to commemorate the centenary of General Alexander Suvorov's Swiss campaign.

Composition

The painting depicts the final stages of Suvorov's Swiss campaign, when his army was withdrawing to Germany. The painting shows soldiers making a difficult and potentially life-threatening leap while calm and smiling because they believe in their commander.

History

Surikov conceived of the painting in 1895. In order to depict it in more detail, he went to Switzerland. The painting is in a vertical format, unusual for Surikov. It was completed in 1899, in time for the centennial of the campaign. The painting was bought by Nicholas II for 25,000 rubles.