Rurik Collection

Greek fire. Miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes, 11th-12th century. Artist: Anonymous
Greek fire. Miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes, 11th-12th century. Found in the collection of the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

Statue of Anne of Kiev (Anna Jaroslawna) at the Royal Abbey of St. Vincent in Senlis. Found in the collection of Senlis, Oise, France

Campaign to Chersonesos by Vladimir the Great, 1904. Private Collection

Vladimir Sviatoslavich, known as the Beautiful Sun (or Vladimir I said the Great or Saint Vladimir) (958-1015)
NWI4945526 Vladimir Sviatoslavich, known as the Beautiful Sun (or Vladimir I said the Great or Saint Vladimir) (958-1015) introduced Christiannism in Russia Vladimir I introducing Christianity into

The Prince of Novgorod Oleg, known as the Wise (regne 879-612) nailed his shield to the gate of Constantinople (Turkey)
NWI4945664 The Prince of Novgorod Oleg, known as the Wise (regne 879-612) nailed his shield to the gate of Constantinople (Turkey)

The Virgin of Vladimir, 16th century. Creator: Russian icon
The Virgin of Vladimir, 16th century. Private Collection

Saint Olga, Princess of Kiev, 1885-1896. Artist: Nesterov, Mikhail Vasilyevich (1862-1942)
Saint Olga, Princess of Kiev, 1885-1896. Found in the collection of the St Vladimirs Cathedral, Kiev

The Death of Askold and Dir, . Found in the Collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Prince Alexander Nevsky begging Batu Khan for mercy for Russia, End of 19th century. Artist: Anonymous
Prince Alexander Nevsky begging Batu Khan for mercy for Russia, End of 19th century. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Coin (Zlatnik) of Grand Duke Vladimir Svyatoslavich (Averse: Portrait of the ruler), 980-1015. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Askold and Dir asked by Rurik for a permission to go to Constantinople (from the Radziwill Chronicle), 15th century. Found in the collection of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St

The Baptism of Prince Vladimir I (from the Radziwill Chronicle), 15th century. Artist: Anonymous
The Baptism of Prince Vladimir I (from the Radziwill Chronicle), 15th century. Found in the collection of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg

Battle between Sviatopolk the Accursed and Yaroslav the Wise (from the Radziwill Chronicle), 15th century. Found in the collection of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg

6. Yaroslav 7. Sviatoslav II 8. Sviatopolk 9. Vladimir Monomakh 10. Yuri I 11. Ivan II 12. Dmitry Donskoy 13. Ivan III, 1831. From a private collection

1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14. Ivan IV (from Il costume antico)
1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14. Ivan IV (from Il costume antico? by Giulio Ferrario), 1831. From a private collection

Column erected at Novgorod to commemorate...a thousand years of Russia's nationality, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Column erected at Novgorod to commemorate the completion of a thousand years of Russia's nationality, 1862. The principal figure on the Novgorod Memorial represents Ruric arriving, sword in hand

Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 6. Yaroslav 7. Sviatoslav II 8. Sviatopolk 9. Vladimir Monomakh 10. Yuri I 11
6203781 Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 6. Yaroslav 7. Sviatoslav II 8. Sviatopolk 9. Vladimir Monomakh 10. Yuri I 11. Ivan II 12. Dmitry Donskoy 13

Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14
6203792 Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14. Ivan IV (from Il costume antico)

Rurik (engraving)
666814 Rurik (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rurik. Illustration for Young Folks History of Russia by Nathan Dole (Werner, 1895)

Portraits of early Russian rulers. King Rurik 1, Igor I 2, Saint Olga 3, Sviatoslav I Igorevich 4, Vladimir Sviatoslavich the Great 5, and Ivan IV the Terrible 14

Rurik (engraving)
653960 Rurik (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rurik. Illustration from Cassells Illustrated Universal History by Edward Ollier (1890)

Rurik, founder of the Russian Empire, 862 (litho)
6014695 Rurik, founder of the Russian Empire, 862 (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rurik (c830-879), founder of the Russian Empire, 862

Slavic envoys before Rurik, Prince of Kievan Rus, 9th Century (engraving)
3647226 Slavic envoys before Rurik, Prince of Kievan Rus, 9th Century (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Slavic envoys before Rurik, Prince of Kievan Rus)

Saint Olga, Princess of Kiev, c. 1700 (fresco)
6203793 Saint Olga, Princess of Kiev, c.1700 (fresco) by Russian School (18th century); Cathedral of St. Sophia, Kiev, Ukraine; Photo eFine Art Images; Russian, out of copyright

Monomakhs Pectoral. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853. Private Collection

Diamond Cap of Tsar Ivan V. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853. Private Collection

Diamond Cap of Tsar Peter I. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853. Private Collection

The Monomakhs Globus cruciger. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853. Private Collection

Saint Olga, Princess of Kiev. Artist: Roerich, Nicholas (1874-1947)
Saint Olga, Princess of Kiev. Private Collection

The Death of Askold and Dir, 1832. Private Collection

Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, 1832. Private Collection

Oleg of Novgorods campaign against Constantinople, 1832. Private Collection

Olgas avenge to the Drevlians, 1832. Private Collection

The Invitation of the Varangians, 1832. Private Collection

The destruction of the Rus fleet at Constantinople, 1832. Private Collection

The Death of Grand Duke Oleg, 1832. Private Collection

Saint Grand Duke Vladimir, 1925. Private Collection

Saint Alexander Nevsky, Second Half of the 18th cen. Found in the Collection of Ikonen Museum Recklinghausen

The Saint Apostle Andrew and Saint Grand Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, 1650-1660. Found in the Collection of Museum of History and Art, Suzdal

The Virgin of Vladimir. Found in the Collection of State Museum of Architecture, History and Art, Vladimir

Seal of Grand prince Vsevolod III Yuryevich the Big Nest. Found in the Collection of State Museum of Architecture, History and Art, Vladimir

Izborsk. Truvors Cross. Found in the Collection of State Oriental Art Museum, Moscow

Meeting of the Kyivan Princes, 1907. Artist: Bilibin, Ivan Yakovlevich (1876-1942)
Meeting of the Kyivan Princes, 1907. Private Collection

The Baptism of Russia, 1887. Artist: Navozov, Vasily Ivanovich (1862-1919)
The Baptism of Russia, 1887. Private Collection

Vladimir Vsevolodovich crowned by Bishop Neophytos with Monomakhs Cap. (From the Illuminated Compil Artist: Anonymous)
Vladimir Vsevolodovich crowned by Bishop Neophytos with Monomakhs Cap. (From the Illuminated Compiled Chronicle), Second half of the16th century

Copy of the manuscript of Russkaya Pravda. Artist: Historical Document
Copy of the manuscript of Russkaya Pravda. Found in the collection of Russian State Archives of Ancient Documents (RGADA)

Saint Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, 19th century. Artist: Russian icon
Saint Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, 19th century. Private Collection

Rest of Grand Prince Vladimir II Monomakh on the Hunt. (The Imperial Hunt in Russia by N)
Rest of Grand Prince Vladimir II Monomakh on the Hunt. (The Imperial Hunt in Russia by N. Kutepov), Between 1899 and 1908. Private Collection

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Rurik, the legendary founder of the Rurik dynasty, holds a significant place in Russian history. With his arrival in Novgorod in the 9th century, he laid the foundation for what would become one of the most influential ruling families in Eastern Europe. The image is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. As we look at historical artifacts like the Greek fire miniature from Madrid Skylitzes or statues like Anne of Kiev at St. Vincent Abbey, we catch glimpses of a bygone era when power struggles and conquests shaped nations. One cannot discuss Rurik without mentioning his descendants who left their mark on Russia's history. From Vladimir the Great's campaign to Chersonesos to Prince Alexander Nevsky's plea for mercy from Batu Khan, these stories paint a vivid picture of bravery and diplomacy. But it was not just men who played pivotal roles during this time; strong women like Saint Olga also made their presence felt. Artists like Bruni and Nesterov beautifully captured her grace and strength through their paintings. As we delve into ancient coins depicting Grand Duke Vladimir Svyatoslavich or witness important events such as Prince Vladimir I's baptism or battles between Sviatopolk the Accursed and Yaroslav the Wise, we realize that Rurik's legacy extends far beyond his own reign. Through generations that followed - Igor of Kiev, Olga, Sviatoslav, Vladimir Monomakh - until Ivan IV (Ivan The Terrible), each ruler added layers to Russia's rich tapestry. Luigi Giarre masterfully depicted these rulers' lives with intricate detail in his works from Il costume antico? Today, as we reflect on Rurik's impact on Russian history through these various hints scattered across centuries-old art pieces and chronicles alike, we are reminded that every great empire has its humble beginnings – often rooted in the vision and determination of one extraordinary individual.