The Vasnetsov canvas, which was exhibited in Moscow in 1882, reflected the pessimistic mood in the ancient capital at the time following the assassination of Tsar Alexander II a year earlier. Surrounded by symbols of impending doom (human and horses' skulls and a black raven flying over deserted steppes) a well-armored Kievan knight sits on a horse pondering an inscription on a boulder which promises the warrior a gloomy future no matter what path is chosen.

Rendered faithfully in silver, the stone is etched in Old Church Slavonic: “If you go straight, you will not live, regardless of whether you choose to ride, walk or fly.”