Vasnetsov's "Magic Carpet" has returned to the Nizhny Novgorod Art Museum.

      The canvas spent more than a year in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where it was viewed by approximately 700,000 people. Vasnetsov's "Carpet Flight" has returned to the Nizhny Novgorod Art Museum. Photo: Ministry of Culture of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

      At the NGHM after nearly a year of absence, the jewel of the collection—the painting by Viktor Vasnetsov, "Carpet Flight"—has returned. This was announced by the press service of the Nizhny Novgorod regional government.

      From May to November 2024, the painting was displayed at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow at the exhibition "Vasnetsovs. Connection of Generations. From the 19th to the 21st Century." In December, "Carpet Flight" traveled to St. Petersburg as part of the Russian Museum’s project "Viktor Vasnetsov. The 175th Anniversary of His Birth." Nearly 400,000 people saw the painting here, and the exhibition itself became the most visited in the history of the Benois building. In total, during its stay in the two capitals, about 700,000 people had the opportunity to view the artwork.

      "Carpet Flight" marked a transitional period in Vasnetsov's work—from genre painting to new images and themes. The masterpiece was acquired by the Nizhny Novgorod merchant Mitrofan Rukavisnikov from the famous patron and collector Savva Mamontov. The painting has been part of the collection of the Nizhny Novgorod Historical and Artistic Museum since 1916.

      Since July 8, "Carpet Flight" has been on display in the permanent exhibition of Russian art on the second floor of the Governor’s House.

      Ekaterina MARKELOVA