"The magic carpet" has returned to Nizhny Novgorod after a triumphant tour.

      July 11, 2025, 08:00

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      Culture and Leisure One of Viktor Vasnetsov’s most recognizable works — the painting "Flying Carpet" — has once again found its place in the permanent exhibition of the Nizhny Novgorod Art Museum. The canvas has returned to the Russian art hall in the Kremlin after more than a year of absence.

      During its "journey," the painting was displayed at two major exhibitions in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where approximately 700,000 visitors viewed it. From May to November 2024, "Flying Carpet" was featured at the State Tretyakov Gallery in the exhibition "Vasnetsovs. Generations Connection. From the 19th to the 21st Century" (12+), which was attended by over 300,000 visitors.

      Then, from December 2024, the work was exhibited at the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg as part of the project "Viktor Vasnetsov. 175th Anniversary" (12+). This exhibition set a record for attendance in the century-long history of the Benois building — nearly 400,000 visitors.

      "Flying Carpet" is considered one of Vasnetsov’s early works dedicated to fairy tale themes. It marks the artist’s shift from genre painting, which Ivan Kramskoi attempted to influence him with, towards images and plots inspired by dreams and folk fantasy.

      The story of how the painting came to Nizhny Novgorod is also noteworthy. The canvas was acquired from philanthropist Savva Mamontov by the Nizhny Novgorod merchant Mitrofan Rukavishnikov. In 1916, it was transferred to the funds of the Nizhny Novgorod Historical and Art Museum.

      Since July 8, the masterpiece has been accessible again to the general public in the permanent exhibition (0+) on the second floor of the Governor’s House. The exhibition can also be visited using the "Pushkin Card."

      It was previously reported that 100 million rubles have been allocated for the design and construction of a new building for the museum and exhibition center of MBUK "Mikula" — the "Iskra" Culture and Leisure Center.

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