Abstract: The subject of the research is the fine art of the Vyg Monastery. The object of the research is the phenomenon of the old believers in the culture of the Russian North. During the research particular attention was paid to identifying the concepts of sustainability and modernization of the old believer traditions in the art of the North. It is proved that for all the controversy, the impact of the old believers on the culture of Northern Russia was positive, in particular, it extended the range of artistic traditions of the region. In her research Skorobogacheva has studied the factors contributing to the spread of Northern art beyond the marginal land: in the Urals, Siberia, the Volga region and Central Russia. In this research it was necessary to use an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Special research methodology involved the holistic approach, which is based on the ideas of system analysis. When working on specific research tasks, the author relied on the following methods of research: 1. art criticism analysis of works that it is important to understand figurative, ideological solutions and to identify their artistic language; 2. in matters of attribution comparative technical and technological methods are important because they allow to describe the classification and specifics of a particular monument. 3. historical-ethnographic method which encourages the research of old believers ' art samples and analysis of Russian traditions and symbolic meanings therein. The main results of the research are: 1. proof of the the importance of the Vyg Monastery as an artistic centre of the Russian North; 2. determination of the uniqueness of the phenomenon of the old believers in the historical-cultural and religious-philosophical environment, both in the North and far beyond its borders; 3. description of the significant role of the old believers in the distribution of the Northern traditions in most regions of Russia.

Abstract: The purpose of the article is to define the role and meaning of images and art of the Russian North in continuing traditions of Russian national culture. The author of the article bases her research on the art work created by Viktor Vasnetsov and other artists of his circle. The author analyzes art work by Viktor Vasnetsov, Apollinary Vasnetsov, Konstantin Korovin, Mikhail Vrubel, Elena Polenova, Milyutin and some other artists. Images of the Russian North are especially important in Vasnetsov's art work. State by stage the author of the article describes how Vasnetsov's world view had been developing through his childhood, youth and maturity. The author also analyzes how the images of the North were expressed in Vasnetsov's painting, graphics, architectural projects and hand crafits (furniture). At the end of the article the author makes the following conclusions: 1. Viktor Vasnetsov and other artists he communicated with tried to understand the essence and nature of people's life. For this purpose they learnt and enriched images of the North. 2. Viktor Vasnetsov's art work presents a typical example of how the Russian North influenced the art work style. 3. The Northern land taught them a new artistic language which proves a peculiar role of the Russian North in revival of Russian national roots in art and culture at the turn of the XIX - XX centuries.