Exhibition "Artistic Treasures of Russia": description, interesting facts and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The leaves have already fallen, and the flowers are just beginning to bloom. And somewhere nearby, the surf is splashing. And all this is quite real! The exhibition "Artistic Treasures of Russia" takes place in the halls that are located in the majestic complex of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Here you will not be able to see a sign with the inscription: "Do not touch with your hands"! And on carved benches that fit perfectly into the forest landscapes, you can even relax. In addition, you can always drink tea from a unique samovar with two taps. Yes, and the bagel will be offered!

Hidden Treasures

On Volkhonka On November 14, 2015, a new exhibition opened at the Art Center Gallery (Moscow). "Artistic Treasures of Russia" - these are the best collections, judging by the reviews of gallery visitors. The new exhibition area is peacefully located in the heart of Russia, inside the base of the temple.

Collectors and ordinary art connoisseurs for the first time in more than a hundred years organized such an exhibition. It presents many masterpieces of native Russian painting. These canvases have never been seen before, except perhapsonly in narrow circles. The owners carefully hid them from prying eyes. Just at that time, revolutions followed one another, and then wars.

Revival of old traditions

Pre-revolutionary artists with writers decided to jointly create a monthly publication "Artistic Treasures of Russia". At that time, the main goals for publishers were the renewal of interest in the heritage of primordially Russian artists and the attraction of the masses to the realm of art. In our time, the name and aspirations of the exhibition are closely intertwined with the ideas of the almanac in the past. Undoubtedly, first of all, the exhibition will appeal to true connoisseurs of beautiful academic art.

Unusual lighting

The organizers of the exhibition "Artistic Treasures of Russia" approached the issue of lighting the canvases radically. All the walls are in dark colors, and some rooms do not have any additional lighting at all. With the exception of those lamps that are placed high under the ceiling and focus a single jet of light exclusively on the artist's canvas.

Sometimes they are so finely tuned that the picture frame stays dark. Many visitors, judging by their reviews, remained under the indelible impression of the mystery of the exhibition and its stylish design. In addition, they were struck by the fact that the entire staff consists of young workers. They are quite competent and friendly people.

Interior by Salvador Dali

As many as 12 galleries allocated for the exhibition of paintings by the Centerarts. The artistic treasures of Russia are little-known, but easily recognizable by their handwriting paintings: Kuindzhi, Bryullov, Petrov-Vodkin. The spaces of the exhibition halls also differ in themes. Crimean landscapes will be the first to meet you: Krachkovsky, Kondratenko and Orlovsky. Their canvases are able to eliminate any human fuss, while immersing them in a calm contemplation of nature. Even though it's only landscapes! Further from this hall we harmoniously flow into an endless corridor with other halls on the sides.

The organization of exhibition halls is deliberately devoid of any style, as well as chronology. The priority is the emotional perception of the contemplator. More than three hundred masterpieces of art are offered to the viewer's attention at the exhibition. Certainly, not only the Cathedral of Christ the Savior took part in the design of the galleries. "Artistic Treasures of Russia", together with the organizers, was designed by the grandson of Gala. In the life of Salvador Dali, she was a guiding star. In addition, the organizers promise to surprise visitors in the future not only with compositions, but also with special effects. More on that later though.

Icons

You, of course, already know that "Artistic Treasures of Russia" is an exhibition located on the territory of the temple. Most likely, that's why he allocated as many as three halls for the exhibition of icons! Many visitors have a sincere feeling of admiration! Especially from how extremely beautifully executed salaries. In addition, almost all of them are decorated with filigree, enamel and semi-preciousstones. In addition, each icon is accompanied by a plate with additional information about its origin. Almost all the works were inherited, but their fate was sometimes unpredictable.

For example, here you can get acquainted with one of the non-canonical icons "The Virgin and Child on the Throne", painted by Vasily Vasnetsov. And the “Wisdom of God” icon was bought at an auction in Düsseldorf 10 years ago by one of the gallery employees. On the back, you can see the text, indicating that this icon once belonged to the Don Cossacks. The iconostasis is also equipped with a silver setting. And how many inexpressible feelings can awaken the portrait of Princess Mary in the form of an Angel, which was painted by Timothy Neff!

Green living room

Next we find ourselves in a specially equipped hall "Treasury". At one time, in the fashion of the 19th century, the most popular were "green living rooms", which were decorated with genuine works of art. Priceless artistic treasures of Russia are exhibited here. The best of the Russian collections were located both in the imperial office and in the homes of noble nobles.

Many of the paintings were in the home halls of the imperial family. All works from private collections. For example, Shishkin's painting "Kama at Labuga" with a pacifying landscape was bought from Beria. Few have seen Nesterov's painting "The Vision of the Youth Bartholomew" except Fyodor Chaliapin himself.

You are most likely familiar with the first part of this work, which is shown in the Tretyakovgallery. The second version of the painting is also unusual in that it was written personally for Fyodor Chaliapin. Later, it was taken to his studio in Paris, where it hung in the bedroom, right above the head of the bed, until the death of the maestro.

Sea element

An entire hall is dedicated to Aivazovsky. Here you can hear unobtrusive echoes of sea noise and splashing waves. According to experts, the artist painted about 7 thousand canvases. In the works of Aivazovsky, an unimaginable combination of elements and color is visible. The exhibition presents one of his paintings "A Flock of Sheep". At first it may seem that the recognized marine painter is clearly moving away from the marine theme.

However, this is not entirely true! If you take a closer look and listen, you can easily draw a comparison between the uncontrollable elements of the herd and the raging waves. Why listen? Because "Artistic Treasures of Russia" is an absolutely unusual exhibition!

Unfortunately, judging by the reviews of some visitors, not everyone was satisfied with the design of this particular hall. They believe that in this gallery, the twilight does not contribute to perception at all. Moreover, this feeling visits literally immediately, even at the entrance. Since all the light coming from the sun or moon accumulates exclusively in the center of the picture.

Live Paintings

Despite all the academicity in which the canvases are made, some of them even picked up a musicalaccompaniment. The organizers of the exhibition "Artistic Treasures of Russia" believe that this helps to better feel the plot. In the picture, at a certain point, there is a sound device that conveys the singing of birds, the sound of sea waves, the chime of bells or the bleating of sheep.

Most of the visitors reacted with approval to this innovation. However, judging by the reviews, some did not manage to fully experience absolute aesthetic satisfaction from this process. For example, trying to tune in to deep contemplation of Roerich, you can suddenly hear the bleating of sheep. Agree, this situation looks a bit ridiculous and makes you smile.

Also, you can use the additional services of a guide at the exhibition. Modern gadgets in the form of a tablet or a smartphone screen can revive even a canvas painted by an artist! Unfortunately, not all paintings come to life. But all show a biography and a plot. Many visitors find the smartphone guide to be much more interesting and informative.

However, even with its help, the organization of the tour is not thought out very carefully, as visitors note. The galleries are not numbered, and there is no description under many canvases, except for the name of the artist and the date of painting. But this causes significant discomfort. Especially for those who see poorly or simply did not use the services of an electronic guide.

The following are paintings by such famous Russian masters as: Perov, Bryullov, Matveev, Kustodiev and Repin. It was their works that decorated living rooms and salons at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Fortunately, innow this custom is being resumed again.

Theatre Hall

Also, it is impossible not to remember the mini-performance that is played in the Theater Hall every hour. Many visitors were literally struck by the projection of a dancing ballerina. Judging by the reviews, the ballerina dancing to Swan Lake looks quite believable! It even got ridiculous! Some connoisseurs of high art at some point even began to think that she was alive.

By the way, the hall is decorated according to the theme: beautiful chandeliers, heavy curtains, candles. At the end of the hall, a grand piano gracefully settled down on a small stage. Throughout the exhibition there are evenings of creativity. Also exhibited here are the works of such artists: Roerich, Petrov-Vodkin, Vasnetsov and Semiradsky. However, it is impossible to describe all the masterpieces. It's better to see everything for yourself!

Second wind

Unfortunately, due to technical reasons, the exhibition cannot last more than three months. Therefore, the workers conceived an original plan, and the Center for the Arts (Moscow) will help to implement it. The artistic treasures of Russia will take on a new breath three months after the end of the exhibition. Now the exposition will be constantly updated, by means of several hundred canvases. Because the exhibition recently offered its cooperation to collectors, artists and simply connoisseurs of Russian art. However, the organizers, one way or another, will conduct a careful selection of paintings, as before, through an examination.