Riurik 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

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

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

The Death of Askold and Dir, 1832. Private Collection

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

The Invitation of the Varangians, 1832. Private Collection

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

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

The Invitation of the Varangians: Rurik and his brothers arrive in Staraya Ladoga, before 1912. Private Collection

Prince Ruriks sacrifice. 862 (From Illustrated Karamzin), 1836. Artist: Chorikov, Boris Artemyevich (1802-1866)
Prince Ruriks sacrifice. 862 (From Illustrated Karamzin), 1836. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Rurik, Sineus and Truvor. The Invitation of the Varangians, 862 (From Illustrated Karamzin), 1836. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

Prince Rurik, founder of Kievan Rus (from the Historical Medal Series), 18th century. From a private collection

Portrait of Rurik, a Varangian chieftain and founder of Kievan Rus (ca. 830-ca. 879). Found in the collection of the A. Pushkin Memorial Museum, St. Petersburg

The Invitation of the Varangians, 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
The Invitation of the Varangians, 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

The Death of Askold and Dir, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
The Death of Askold and Dir, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

The destruction of the Rus fleet at Constantinople, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
The destruction of the Rus fleet at Constantinople, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

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

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

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Riurik: Tracing the Legacy of a Legendary Leader" In the realm of ancient history, one name stands tall - Riurik. This enigmatic figure, whose origins are shrouded in mystery, left an indelible mark on Russian history. From his arrival in Staraya Ladoga to the rise and fall of subsequent rulers, Riurik's influence shaped the course of a nation. The tale begins with Rurik himself, as he leads his brothers on an epic journey depicted vividly by Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov. The Invitation of the Varangians showcases their arrival in Staraya Ladoga, heralding a new era for Russia. As time unfolds, we witness the reigns of Yaroslav, Sviatoslav II, Sviatopolk and Vladimir Monomakh through Luigi Giarre's intricate portraits. Each ruler leaves their own unique imprint on this evolving dynasty. Among them is Yuri I who navigates turbulent times with resilience and Ivan II who steers Russia towards prosperity. Dmitry Donskoy emerges as a symbol of courage during pivotal moments such as The Death of Askold and Dir - immortalized in artistry by unknown hands. But it is Ivan III who truly solidifies Riurik's legacy. His vision transforms Moscow into a grand capital while preserving traditions that date back to Rurik himself. Giulio Ferrario captures this transformative period beautifully in Portraits of the Russian Monarchy. Yet amidst these triumphs lies turmoil; Greek fire engulfs Constantinople during its infamous siege while Rus fleet faces destruction at its shores - events etched forever within historical records. Through it all stands Rurik's lineage - Igor of Kiev displaying valorous leadership alongside Olga’s cunning diplomacy. Sviatoslav embodies warrior spirit while Vladimir the Great embraces Christianity and shapes Russia’s religious identity. Finally comes Ivan IV, known as Ivan the Terrible.