The paintings of artist Narkiz Nikolaevich Bunin, dedicated to military themes, gained great popularity even during his lifetime. This is not surprising, as the characters in his canvases appeared alive and natural, without excessive military strictness. Each hero in his paintings was simple and sincere, with genuine emotions, and each concealed its own story. Bunin was well acquainted with army life, having himself risen from ensign to colonel.

Young ensign Bunin was passionate about drawing but did not plan to make it his life until in 1881, his works were accidentally noticed by the chief of the Leib-Guard Jaeger Regiment, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich. He advised Bunin to complete the courses at the Imperial Academy of Arts. Bunin studied battle painting, but for awards, he presented a peaceful canvas “Uninvited Critics” with a hint of mockery, where the artist is bothered by random passersby.

Later, Narkiz Nikolaevich returned to the theme of army life. The painting “Officer with a Dog” became particularly beloved by the public, where an officer, sitting on a chair, teaches something to his dog. Bunin also created portraits of his comrades, in which they posed with interest and delight. He then took up battle painting. During the Russo-Japanese War, Bunin carefully studied descriptions of battles, documents, and interviews with soldiers and officers. This led to the creation of the heroic canvas “The Death of General Keller during the Battle at the Yanzelin Pass.”

Recognition came quickly, and Bunin became one of the most successful artists of the empire. However, his career was not without scandals. For example, in the painting “Fishing,” he depicted Tolstoy and Repin with bare legs, which the public found vulgar and offensive. On the evening of March 2, one of the visitors to the exhibition wrote the word “abomination” on the painting.