Marlboro x Ian Usmovets Stopping an Angry Bull

Evgraf Sorokin’s “Jan Usmovets Stopping an Angry Bull” (1849) shows this big dog wrestling a bull, a well-known story from Old Russian chronicles. 

Set to the backdrop of the Battle of 992, where Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich’s army faced the Pechenegs. 

To prevent a full-scale battle, the Pechenegs proposed a duel between the two armies' best warriors. Their chosen warrier was Jan Usmovets, a leatherworker's son from Kyiv. In an effort to show he isn’t one to f*ck around, he showed his strength by stopping a bull charging with his bare hands.

The paintings capture the story the moment Jan wrestles the bull to a halt, grappling the bull mid-charge, meanwhile showing fierce resolve. This ain't new to him.

On the ground beside Jan is some dude who unfortunately f*cked around and found out. I guess by showing another man fail to do what Jan did, highlights his heroism and strength.

In the background you see armoured men watching in amazement, almost acting as the historical context for this painting. 

Step 1. Capture a Cowboy doing dope sh*t in the country

Step 2. Give him a cigarette.

Step 3. Slap a logo on the image.

Step 4. Profit.

Jan Usmovets is a Marlboro Man if I've ever seen one. All he needed was step 2 and 3.