THE ABOLITION OF SERFDOM IN RUSSIA

The time of Tsar Alexander II was a period of frequent changes for Russia. The tsar was aware of Russia's backwardness compared to Western European countries, and therefore abolished serfdom in 1861 in favor of progress.

Alfons Mucha's painting depicts this historical event on Red Square in Moscow. On the right side of St. Basil's Cathedral, which was built by Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, stands a round podium. From this podium, on March 3, 1861, according to the Catholic calendar, the decree was announced to abolish serfdom. The square is depicted with a large number of people who have just gained their freedom. Their expressions reveal a variety of feelings about their new situation. The first rays of the sun above St. Basil's Cathedral symbolize hope for a new dawn and freedom.

Mucha's original plan was to portray Russia as an inspiring country full of hope, but when he personally visited the country in 1913, he was very disappointed; he changed his plan and portrayed the bleak reality of Russian life.