The State Tretyakov Gallery is a treasury of Russian painting. Tretyakov Gallery Who was the first director of the Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the Russian capital, and throughout the country. It was founded in 1856 by merchant and philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov. It is here that one of the world's largest collections of Russian fine art is kept.

History of the gallery's creation

The State Tretyakov Gallery actually began to take shape in the mid-1850s. The official year of its opening is considered to be 1856. It was then that Tretyakov acquired two paintings by Russian artists - “A Skirmish with Finnish Smugglers” by Khudyakov and “Temptation” by Schilder. They became the basis for the formation of the collection.

Although his interest in art began to appear even earlier. Thus, two years earlier, Tretyakov had already taken possession of 9 paintings by ancient Dutch masters and 11 graphic sheets.

The first prototype of the State Tretyakov Gallery was the Moscow City Gallery of Pavel and Sergei Tretyakov. It first opened its doors in 1867, and contained more than a thousand paintings, as well as sculptures and drawings by Russian artists. 84 works were presented by foreign masters.

Moscow as a gift

An important event for the State Tretyakov Gallery took place in 1892, when it was actually donated to Moscow. By that time, the collection of works of art had expanded significantly. A year later, the gallery officially opened.

At the same time, Pavel Tretyakov remained its official manager until his death. In 1898, a board of trustees was created to manage the gallery, headed by Ostroukhov. They began to support it with a percentage of the capital of 125,000 rubles, which was bequeathed to the Tretyakov by its founder himself. Additionally, a certain amount was allocated annually by the City Duma.

Locations

The building in which the State Tretyakov Gallery was located in Moscow was acquired by the merchant's family in 1851. As the collection grew, new rooms were constantly added to the mansion, in which works of art were displayed and stored. The first such building was erected back in 1873, and from 1902 to 1904 the façade, famous throughout the capital, appeared, which was designed by the architect Bashkirov based on Vasnetsov’s drawings. Architect Kalmykov directly supervised the construction.

Tragedy with Repin's painting

Many works of the State Tretyakov Gallery were of great value for Russian and world culture. Therefore, the whole world was shocked by an incident that occurred in 1913. A vandal attacked Ilya Repin's painting "Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan." She was seriously injured by the knife. Because of this, the artist had to actually recreate the faces in the image. Khruslov, who at that time was the custodian of the Tretyakov Gallery, upon learning of this incident, threw himself under the train. Soon after this, the city duma elected Igor Grabar as the new trustee of the gallery.

Soon after the victory of the October Revolution, the gallery was declared the property of the Soviet Republic, and it was then that it received the name 1st State Tretyakov Gallery. Grabar was appointed its director. With his direct participation, a museum fund was created, which until 1927 remained one of the key sources for the full replenishment of the collection.

In 1926, the gallery changed its director. It becomes academician of architecture Shchusev. The following year, a certain part of the collection moves to the house on Maly Tolmachevy Lane, located next door. A large-scale reconstruction was carried out here, after which the administration was located here, as well as a library, scientific departments, funds, and manuscript departments.

Already by 1985-1994, the administrative building was built according to the design of the architect Bernstein, after which its height was equal to the exhibition halls. In 1929, electricity was installed in the gallery.

During the Great Patriotic War

When the Great Patriotic War began, urgent dismantling of the exhibition began in the gallery, as in most other museums in Moscow. She was being prepared for evacuation. The canvases were transferred to special wooden shafts, covered with tissue paper, and stored in waterproof boxes. Already in the middle of the summer of 1941, 17 carriages left Moscow for Novosibirsk. Works of art were evacuated until the autumn of 1942. When the turning point in the war became obvious, the collection began to be returned. In May 1945, the exhibition reopened to Muscovites and guests of the capital.

Expansion of the exhibition area

In the post-war period, Korolev, who became head of the Tretyakov Gallery in 1980, played an important role in expanding the exhibition area. Already in 1983, he began active construction, and two years later the depository was put into operation. This is a specialized storage facility for works of art; it also housed restoration workshops.

Since 1986, a full-scale reconstruction of the main building has been carried out. And in 1989, a new building was even built, in which an information and computing center, a conference room, a children's studio, and additional exhibition halls were opened. The building began to be called the Engineering Building because the main engineering services and systems were concentrated in it.

But the buildings located in Lavrushinsky Lane were closed completely from 1986 to 1995 due to major reconstruction. For a whole decade at that time, the only exhibition space remained in the building located on Krymsky Val. In 1985 it was officially merged with the Tretyakov Gallery.

Tretyakov collection

The collection of exhibits of this museum is considered the most extensive in our country and one of the most significant in the world in general. The State Tretyakov Gallery, whose collection already numbered about four thousand works by 1917, was perhaps the richest in Russia. That is why it aroused such interest among numerous visitors.

In the future, it only replenished. By 1975, the State Tretyakov Gallery, whose collection already numbered about 55 thousand works, was one of the largest in Europe. It was regularly replenished through government procurement. Nowadays, in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery you can find a collection of Russian painting, sculpture, graphics, works of foreign authors, as well as works of decorative and applied art from the 11th to 21st centuries.

The collection of icons is worth mentioning separately. Icons from the 11th to 17th centuries are presented here, including works by Simon Ushakov, Dionysius, and the famous “Trinity” by Andrei Rublev.

Many famous paintings of the second half of the 19th century can be found in the Tretyakov Gallery. Here is the richest collection of Peredvizhniki. Among them are works by Kramskoy, Perov, Savitsky, Makovsky, Savrasov, Polenov, Shishkin, Vasnetsov.

There are many paintings by Ilya Repin, among the lower ones already mentioned in this article “Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan”, “They Didn’t Expect”. Many are familiar with Surikov’s works “Menshikov in Berezovo”, “Boyaryna Morozova”, “Morning of the Streltsy Execution”, as well as the works of Antokolsky and Vereshchagin.

Soviet art is widely represented. Here, everyone knows Grabar, Kukryniksy, Konenkov, Serov, Mukhina, Brodsky.

The State Tretyakov Gallery, whose collection numbers more than 60 thousand works today, remains the most attractive place for numerous art fans from all over the world.

Tretyakov Gallery in philately

Stamps from the State Tretyakov Gallery have long become valuable for philatelists. For example, a 1949 stamp is considered especially valuable, on which a monument to Joseph Stalin is depicted in front of the Tretyakov Gallery building, which was later demolished. In 1956, a postage stamp was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the State Tretyakov Gallery. And in 2006, a whole postal block appeared in circulation, which was issued for the 150th anniversary of the gallery.

How to get there?

The main building of the Tretyakov Gallery, which is worth a visit if you expect to get acquainted with the rich collection collected here, is located in Moscow at Lavrushinsky Lane, 10.

The gallery's opening hours are as follows: Monday is a day off, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday it is open from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 21:00. Please note that the box office closes one hour before the gallery closes.

The Tretyakov Gallery is located almost in the very center of Moscow, so getting to it is not difficult. The easiest way to do this is to use the capital's metro. To do this, you need to get to the Polyanka or Tretyakovskaya stations, which are located on the Kalininskaya line, or to the Oktyabrskaya or Novokuznetskaya stations of the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya line. Another option is to get off the car at the Oktyabrskaya station on the Circle Line.

Ticket prices

For adult visitors, a ticket to the Tretyakov Gallery will cost exactly 500 rubles. These prices are determined in the gallery for 2018. Russian students and pensioners will have to pay 200 rubles. Admission for minors under 18 years of age is free.

Please note that the gallery offers free admission for Russian students on the first and second Sunday of the month.

After visiting the Tretyakov Gallery, take time to explore the attractions located nearby. This is the Church of St. Nicholas, Shmelev Square, Tretyakovsky Pier, the Kadashevskaya Sloboda Museum, Yakimansky Square, and the Ore Petrographic Museum.

If you are planning to visit the Tretyakov Gallery, then do not try to embrace the immensity. Don’t set yourself the task of seeing all the collections in one day. It’s better to decide in advance on two or three masters or areas on which you will concentrate your attention this time. Leave the rest until your next visit.

A free guide will also help you find your way, which you can install on your phone and use it to see the most interesting things without spending too much time.

In the museum itself you can be offered an official audio guide, the use of which will cost you 350 rubles. Such audio guides exist in Russian, Italian, English, French, German, Chinese and Spanish. Remember, to use it, you will have to leave a deposit of two thousand rubles. An alternative to money as collateral can be any document proving your identity. The only exception is that you cannot leave your passport.

The State Tretyakov Gallery, the national gallery of Russian painting, is an art museum of world significance. The very formation of the Gallery was at the same time the process of the formation of Russian national art, moreover, Russian national self-awareness. The very fact of the existence of this amazing gallery turned out to be a powerful incentive for artists, contributing to the creation of works addressed to the people, imbued with the truth of life and a sense of beauty.

In 1918 V.I. Lenin, signing the decree on the nationalization of the Gallery, gave it the name of the State Tretyakov Gallery, thereby appreciating the merit of the founder of the Gallery, Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov.

The year of foundation of the Tretyakov Gallery is considered to be 1856. It was then that Pavel Mikhailovich acquired the first two paintings by Russian artists: “Temptation” by N.G. Schilder and “Clash with Finnish Smugglers” by V.G. Khudyakova. Earlier in 1854 - 1855 P.M. Tretyakov bought 11 graphic sheets and 9 paintings by old Dutch masters. These paintings decorated the rooms in Tolmachi. When Pavel Mikhailovich began collecting paintings by Russian artists, he first hung them in his office. Over time, when it became crowded, the paintings were hung in the dining room, then in the living room. He sent the old Dutchmen to Ilyinsky Lane, where his mother had lived since 1865. When the first gallery was built and the paintings from the living rooms were hung in a new place, the Dutch returned to the empty walls and remained there until the end of Pavel Mikhailovich’s life. It is difficult to say whether all these paintings were originals. Subsequently, Pavel Mikhailovich said that, having bought them, he immediately realized that he had too little knowledge and experience to risk buying unmistakably works by old Western masters, and decided to purchase only paintings by Russian artists from exhibitions or from the authors themselves. In 1853, a description of the Pryanishnikov Gallery appeared. Pavel Mikhailovich could not help but become interested in this meeting and, of course, having seen it, he could not help but be carried away by the desire to follow Pryanishnikov’s example. But Pryanishnikov collected works by his contemporaries, our oldest and best masters. Young Pavel Mikhailovich was unable to do this at that time, and he began collecting from his contemporaries.

Pavel Mikhailovich calls Schilder’s “Temptation” the beginning of his collection, the first painting by Russian artists. He lists this acquisition in the catalog as 1856. Based on Schilder's letter, a different date can be established (July 1858). This difference in dates can be explained by assuming that the painting was just begun or even in sketch when Pavel Mikhailovich saw it for the first time, and that it was completed by the artist for Pavel Mikhailovich. Apparently, Pavel Mikhailovich noted the name of the artist Schilder, since this was the first artist to whom he made an order.

According to documentary data, Pavel Mikhailovich’s first purchase was Khudyakov’s painting “Finnish Smugglers.” The painting was painted in 1853, and he bought it in 1856, after visiting Khudyakov’s studio in St. Petersburg. During his stay in St. Petersburg in 1856, Pavel Tretyakov ordered paintings from several artists: N.G. Schilder, N.E. Sverchkov, I.I. Sokolov, A.S. Bogomolov-Romanovich, A.G. Goravsky.

In the spring of 1856, Pavel Mikhailovich met Khudyakov and the Goravsky brothers, Apollinaris and Ippolit, in St. Petersburg. Since 1857, several artists have been visiting the Tretyakovs; they become close and enthusiastic friends of the whole family. The Muscovites were Nevrev, Trutnev, who after some time moved to St. Petersburg, and Khudyakov, who settled in Moscow after traveling abroad. Among the visitors were the Goravskys, K.A. Trutovsky, L.F. Lagorio.

At the end of the 1850s, the paintings “Cherry Picking” by I.I. appeared in his collection. Sokolova, “The Peddler” by V.I. Jacobi, “View in the vicinity of Oranienbaum” A.K. Savrasova, “The Sick Musician” by M.P. Klodt. Probably, even then Tretyakov planned to create a museum where the national Russian school of painting would be presented.

Pavel Mikhailovich began purchasing from Trutovsky in 1859. Tretyakov gets the famous “Round Dance,” one of Trutovsky’s best works. On the acquisition of “The Dying Musician” by M.P. Nothing was found in Klodt's letters. The painting was painted in 1859 and was probably purchased at the same time.

In the 1860s, Tretyakov acquired the paintings “The Prisoners’ Halt” by V.I. Jacobi, “The Last Spring” by M.P. Klodt, “Grandma’s Dreams” by V.M. Maksimov and others. Pavel Mikhailovich highly appreciated the work of V.G. Perov, to whom he wrote in October 1860: “Take care of yourself for the service of art and for your friends.” In the 1860s, such works by Perov as “Rural Procession at Easter”, “Troika” and “Amateur” were acquired; Subsequently, Tretyakov continued to acquire paintings by Perov, commissioned portraits from him, and actively participated in organizing a posthumous exhibition of the artist’s works.

In 1862, Bogolyubov sent Pavel Mikhailovich the “Ipatiev Monastery”.

At the same time, Perov’s “Rural Procession at Easter” and Pukirev’s “Unequal Marriage” came to Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov.

In 1864, the first painting based on the plot of Russian history appeared in the collection - “Princess Tarakanova” by K.D. Flavitsky. At the end of the 1860s, Pavel Mikhailovich orders F.A. Bronnikov’s work, which later became Vera Nikolaevna Tretyakova’s favorite painting, is “The Pythagoreans’ Hymn to the Rising Sun.”

P.M. Tretyakov loved nature and subtly understood it, so the acquisition of landscapes was always not accidental. In the 1860s, paintings by L.F. appeared in his collection. Lagorio, A.P. Bogolyubova, M.K. Klodt, I.I. Shishkina. Ordering A.G. Goravsky execution of the landscape, P.M. Tretyakov wrote: “I don’t need rich nature, no magnificent composition, no spectacular lighting, no miracles, give me even a dirty puddle, but so that there is truth in it, poetry, and there can be poetry in everything, this is the work of the artist.”

The portrait gallery occupied a special place in Tretyakov’s collection. In the 1860s, a portrait of the Italian archaeologist M.A. was acquired in Italy. Lunches by K.P. Bryullov, a little later portraits of architects A.M. Gornostaeva, I.A. Monighetti, poet V.A. Zhukovsky and others, also by Bryullov. In the same years, a portrait of V.A. was received. Dental work by V.A. Tropinina. Pavel Mikhailovich's idea of ​​collecting portraits of outstanding people in the field of art and science developed especially strongly from 1869 to 1870. Before this, portraits were acquired, for the most part, as works of great artists that interested him. Now Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov decided to create a portrait gallery of outstanding figures of Russian culture - composers, writers, artists. He began not only to buy already created works, but also to order portraits. So, V.G. Perov, at the request of P.M. Tretyakov, painted portraits of A.N. Ostrovsky, F.M. Dostoevsky, A.N. Maykova, M.P. Pogodina, V.I. Dalia, I.S. Turgenev; I.N. Kramskoy - portraits of L.N. Tolstoy, M.E. Saltykova-Shchedrina, S.T. Aksakov and N.A. Nekrasova.

In 1870, Pavel Mikhailovich was lucky enough to receive a portrait of Gogol, painted from life by F.A. Moller. In the same year, Perov painted a portrait of N.G. for Tretyakov. Rubinstein and in 1871 - A.N. Ostrovsky; Kramskoy wrote Shevchenko, Vasiliev, Antokolsky and M.K. Klodt.

In 1872, Pavel Mikhailovich received a whole series of portraits of writers painted by Perov: Dostoevsky, Maikov, Turgenev, Dal, Pogodin.

In portraits of Turgenev, Pavel Mikhailovich sought a similarity, one that would convey Turgenev as he himself saw and understood him. He met him, was familiar with him, and not a single portrait completely satisfied him. He wanted Turgenev to be written by Gun, who lived in Paris at the same time as the writer, but this did not happen - Gun did not dare to write him. Turgenev was painted by Perov after all, although Pavel Mikhailovich did not want to have so many portraits by one brush.

Orders for portraits were often associated with great unrest for Pavel Mikhailovich: either the portraits did not work out, or the originals did not agree to pose, or even worse - people got sick and died.

In 1869, Tretyakov asked A.A. Fet to petition L.N. Tolstoy agreed to pose. On October 25, Afanasy Afanasievich informed Pavel Mikhailovich that Tolstoy positively and definitely refused. Four years have passed. Pavel Mikhailovich finds out that I.N. Kramskoy lives five miles from Tolstoy’s estate, in the estate where he is going to paint the painting “Inspection of an Old House.” Pavel Tretyakov asks Kramskoy to use all efforts to obtain Lev Nikolaevich’s consent. And in a letter dated September 5, Kramskoy writes to Pavel Mikhailovich about the consent of Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy.

Pavel Mikhailovich highly appreciated the talent of I.N. Kramskoy, with whom he became especially close in 1876. At this time, the artist lived with Tretyakov in a house on Lavrushinsky Lane, where he painted a portrait of Vera Nikolaevna Tretyakova. Taking advantage of the illness and forced inaction of the always busy Tretyakov, the artist began to paint his portrait. Since then, family friendship began. The rapprochement was facilitated by common artistic views and a conviction in the social, civic mission of art. At this time, Tretyakov became a sincere supporter of the newly established Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions (TPHV). Pavel Mikhailovich attends all exhibitions of the TPHV, provides material and moral support to the Peredvizhniki artists. From now on, most of the paintings for the gallery are bought at TPHV exhibitions or even before them, directly from the artists’ studios. In the 1870s, paintings “Christ in the Desert” by I.N. appeared in the Tretyakov collection. Kramskoy, “Pine Forest” by I.I. Shishkina, “Wet Meadow” by F.A. Vasilyeva, “The Rooks Have Arrived” by A.K. Savrasov, “Peter I interrogates Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich” N.N. Ge and others.

After Dostoevsky’s advice, conveyed by Perov, that there should be a portrait of Tyutchev, Pavel Mikhailovich probably had this in mind, especially since he himself valued Tyutchev very highly. In 1873, Pavel Mikhailovich was in a hurry. There was a rumor about Tyutchev's illness. Repin did not have time to paint a portrait of Fyodor Ivanovich. Tyutchev for Pavel Mikhailovich was made in 1876 by Aleksandrovsky from a photograph.

At the second Traveling Exhibition, Tretyakov purchased the painting “The Mouth of the Neva” by Bogolyubov, for which he thanked Kramskoy for pointing out. Perov's works belonging to him were also exhibited there - portraits of Turgenev, Dahl, Pogodin, Dostoevsky and Maykov; Myasoedov - “Zemstvo is having lunch”, Klodt - “On the arable land”, “Stream in the forest” and “Noon” - Shishkin.

The name of Vereshchagin first sounded loudly in 1868, when he, having gone as an artist during the expedition of General Kaufman, distinguished himself and received George. In 1869, Kaufman returned to St. Petersburg, and on the initiative of Vereshchagin, a nationwide exhibition was organized with zoological and mineralogical collections, with paintings and sketches by Vereshchagin. Although there are no traces of Pavel Mikhailovich visiting this exhibition, one must think that he did not miss it. But there were no items purchased on it.

In the autumn of 1872, Pavel Mikhailovich visited Vereshchagin's workshop in Munich, from which he emerged as an ardent admirer of his talent.

In the spring of 1874, Vereshchagin organized an exhibition of his works completed after the Turkestan campaign and travel through Central Asia. From the very beginning, Pavel Mikhailovich wanted to acquire the entire collection without fragmentation, place it in Moscow, in a separate gallery, conveniently arrange it (with overhead lighting) on ​​a large street and constantly open to the public. Having overcome various obstacles, Tretyakov bought the paintings for a very high price - 92,000 rubles in order to donate everything to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, but the school council rejected the gift due to the lack of premises and funds for its construction. Pavel Mikhailovich decided to transfer the collection to the Moscow Society of Art Lovers on the condition that it be open for inspection. The society had to find funds for this within three years, which was not possible, and Vereshchagin’s Turkestan series returned to Tretyakov, who by that time had a collection of the artist’s sketches executed in India.

Pavel Mikhailovich placed the purchased paintings in his house on Lavrushinsky Lane. There wasn't enough space. In 1872, construction began on the first two museum halls proper; they were ready in 1874. The halls communicated with the living quarters. The construction work was supervised by the husband of one of Tretyakov’s sisters, architect A.S. Kaminsky. Turkestan series V.V. Vereshchagin made me think about a new perestroika. In 1882, after her return to the gallery, 6 new rooms were added. In the 1880s, the Tretyakov collection expanded significantly.

Paintings by V.I. were purchased. Surikov “The Morning of the Streltsy Execution”, “Menshikov in Berezovo”, “Boyaryna Morozova”; works by I.E. Repin “Religious Procession in the Kursk Province”, “They Didn’t Expect”, “Tsar Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan”; works by V.M. Vasnetsov “After the massacre of Igor Svyatoslavovich with the Polovtsy”, I.I. Shishkina “Morning in a pine forest”, I.N. Kramskoy “Inconsolable Grief”, N.A. Yaroshenko “Life Everywhere” and others. Paintings by V.D. appear in the gallery. Polenova, I.I. Levitan, A.M. Vasnetsova, I.S. Ostroukhova. In 1885, 7 more halls were added to the house in Lavrushinsky. By this time, Pavel Mikhailovich, when choosing works, was already completely relying on his own taste, despite the objections and sometimes the indignation of famous artists. In 1888 he buys a painting by V.A. Serov's "Girl Illuminated by the Sun", which was received ambiguously by the public. In the late 1880s and early 1890s, the gallery also received paintings by the young M.V., unappreciated by some experts. Nesterov “The Hermit” and “Vision to the Youth Bartholomew”, as well as “After the Rain. Ples" I.I. Levitan. Once again the exhibition space had to be expanded, and in 1892, 6 more halls were added.

1892 was a significant year for the gallery; this year Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov donated it to the city of Moscow.

Over more than a century of its existence, the Tretyakov Gallery has become legendary: every year people from all corners of the globe come to see the exhibits stored here. The unique museum, which has collected masterpieces of painting within its walls, tells the story not only about the development of art, but also about the difficult path of the Russian people, reflected in the paintings of famous domestic masters.

The Long and Glorious officially began in 1856. The emergence of the now famous museum is associated with the name of Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, who at that time began to collect a collection of works by contemporary Russian artists.

About Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov

Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov was born in 1832 into a wealthy family that belonged to a famous merchant family. Like all scions of wealthy families, Pavel received an excellent education. Over time, he began to help his father in commercial matters. After both parents passed away, Tretyakov began developing the family business: the factory enterprise grew and brought in more and more income.

However, Pavel Mikhailovich was always interested in the history of art. He thought about creating the first permanent exhibition of Russian painting long before the founding of the museum. True, two years before the opening of the Tretyakov Gallery, the future philanthropist acquired paintings by Dutch masters, and only in 1856 was the beginning of his legendary Russian collection laid. The first canvases in it were oil paintings “Temptation” by N. Schilder and “Clash with Finnish Smugglers” by V. Khudyakov. At that time, the names of these artists were not yet known to the general public, and Pavel Mikhailovich began his collection of paintings with their works.

For several decades, Tretyakov collected paintings by outstanding masters of painting, maintained friendly relations with many artists and helped those who needed it. A brief history of the origins of the great collection would not include the names of everyone who was grateful to the patron.

House for pictures

The Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow is one of the world's leading museums. The main building is located in Lavrushinsky Lane, which belongs to one of the oldest districts of the capital - Zamoskvorechye, the new halls are on Krymsky Val.

The history of the Tretyakov building is a constant expansion of its area. Initially, the paintings were located directly in the collector’s house. Then a kind of passage was added to the Tretyakov merchant mansion, which surrounded the house on three sides. Since 1870, the exhibition has become accessible to the public. Over time, the understanding came that it was no longer possible to accommodate the entire collection of paintings in the available space, therefore, in 1875, by special order of Pavel Mikhailovich, the building of the Tretyakov Gallery was built, which has been constantly expanding with the necessary space since then.

Replenishment of the Assembly: Key Milestones

According to the creator’s plan, the Tretyakov Museum should include only the works of Russian artists and only those of their works that would convey the special essence of the authentic Russian soul.

In the summer of 1892, the collection was presented as a gift to Moscow. At that time, the collection consisted of 1,287 paintings and 518 graphic works by Russian artists. The exhibition also included more than 80 works by European authors and a large collection of icons. Since then, at the expense of the city treasury, the gallery began to be replenished with real masterpieces of world art. Thus, by the fateful year for the history of Russia, 1917, the Tretyakov collection already consisted of 4,000 items. A year later, the gallery became state-owned, and at the same time the nationalization of various private collections took place. In addition, the history of the art collection continued with the inclusion of works from small Moscow museums in the fund: the Tsvetkovskaya Gallery, the Rumyantsev Museum, the I. S. Ostroukhov Museum of Iconography and Painting. That is why already in the early thirties of the last century the collection was increased more than fivefold. At the same time, works by Western European masters moved to other collections.

This is the history of the creation of the State Tretyakov Gallery, which stores paintings that can glorify the originality of the Russian person.

Today and prospects

Now the Tretyakov Gallery is no longer just a museum exhibition, but also a center for the study of art. The opinion of its workers and specialists is highly valued all over the world; experts and restorers are considered among the most professional in the modern art world. The unique local library is another treasure of the Tretyakov Gallery: the book collection contains more than 200,000 specialized volumes on art.

The most significant exhibits are exhibited in the historical building. The exhibition is divided into sections:

• Old Russian art (XII–XVIII centuries);
• painting from the 17th century to the first half of the 19th century;
• painting of the second half of the 19th century and the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries;
• Russian graphics of the 13th – early 20th centuries;
• Russian sculpture of the 13th – early 20th centuries.

Today the collection includes more than 170,000 works of Russian art, while the collection of exhibitions and storage continues. Artists, private donors, various organizations and heirs donate wonderful works, which means that the story of creating a unique collection of domestic masterpieces is not complete.

The State Tretyakov Gallery is one of the largest art museums in Russia and the world, named after its founder, merchant and philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov. P. Tretyakov began collecting paintings in 1850, and 17 years later he opened a gallery, the collection of which included about two thousand works of fine art and several sculptures. In 1893, the collection, previously donated to Moscow, became known as the Moscow City Tretyakov Gallery and was maintained with money bequeathed by the founders.

In 1918, the Tretyakov Gallery was nationalized and became “state property of the RSFRS”; its first directors were the art critic and artist I. Grabar, and then the architect A. Shchusev. Under them, the Museum's holdings grew, several new buildings were added, and new exhibitions were actively developed.

During the Great Patriotic War, all paintings and sculptures were exported to Novosibirsk and Molotov. The evacuation continued for more than a year, but already on May 17, 1945, the exhibitions were again open to residents and guests of Moscow.

In the following decades, the Museum continuously grew, and today it includes the Gallery on Krymsky Val, the Gallery in Lavrushinsky Lane, the house-museum of V. M. Vasnetsov, the Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi and other branches.

The museum's collections include works of art XI-XXI, including Russian painting, sculpture, and graphics. The most famous works stored in the Museum are considered to be icons of the 11th-17th centuries, and especially valuable among them are the face of the Vladimir Mother of God, Rublev’s “Trinity” and icons painted by Dionysius, Theophan the Greek, and Simon Ushakov.

The basis of the Tretyakov Gallery's collections is Russian painting, most of which dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The collection includes works by Kramskoy, Perov, Vasnetsov, Savrasov, Shishkin, Aivazovsky, Repin, Vereshchagin and other famous Russian artists. In the 20th century, the Gallery was replenished with works by Vrubel, Levitan, Serov, Malevich, Roerich, and Benois. During the Soviet period, Deineka, Brodsky, Kukryniksy, Nesterov and others appeared in exhibitions. In addition to painting, the Museum stores and exhibits works by Antokolkolsky, Mukhina, Shadr, Konenkov and other famous sculptors.

Currently, the Tretyakov Gallery is developing new expositions and exhibitions, actively collaborating with many museums around the world and Russia, providing them with collections for temporary exhibitions, also carrying out restoration and research work, replenishing funds, developing cultural and educational programs, participating in the largest museum and film exhibitions. and music festivals.

In 1995, the Tretyakov Gallery was recognized as one of the most valuable cultural objects for its activities in the field of preserving art objects and promoting museum values.

Tretyakov Gallery Address: 119017, Moscow, Lavrushinsky Lane, 10
Directions: Metro “Tretyakovskaya” or “Polyanka”

Tretyakov Gallery brief information.

The Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most famous museums in Russia and throughout the world. The extensive exhibition covers the period from the eleventh century to the present day. It is difficult to imagine that the Tretyakov Gallery, whose halls have become a reflection of Russian art from antiquity to the present, began with a private collection.

Home collection

The Tretyakovs purchased the house on Lavrushinsky Lane in 1851. The head of the family, Pavel Mikhailovich, was a successful businessman, but at the same time he was a well-known philanthropist who invested in many charitable programs. He was a passionate collector, collecting paintings, sculptures, icons and other works of art.

He had a global goal - to create a national gallery, and not just a museum. The collection began with ten paintings painted by Dutch masters. Initially, the Tretyakov Gallery, whose halls were open only to family members and guests, was in the house where the Tretyakovs lived. But the collection grew very quickly, and there was not enough space for display. During the owner's lifetime, numerous reconstructions were carried out. And even under Pavel Mikhailovich, townspeople had the opportunity to visit such a cultural institution as the Tretyakov Gallery. The halls expanded, and the exhibition grew constantly. The popularity of the museum is evidenced by the fact that in the first four years its visitors exceeded 30 thousand people.

40 years after the collection was started, he donated it to Moscow. The collection was supplemented by works of art kept by the second brother, Sergei. This is how the “Paul and Sergei Tretyakov Gallery” appeared in Moscow. Another famous philanthropist Morozov donated masterpieces by Renoir, Van Gogh, and Monet. Despite the transfer to the city, both patrons continued to add to the collection. After the death of the Tretyakovs, the entire house in Lavrushinsky Lane came under the jurisdiction of the city.

New life for the collection

In 1913, I. E. Grabar was appointed trustee and director of the gallery. He was not only a talented artist, architect and art historian, but also an organizer. It was he who carried out the colossal work of systematizing the collection. He distributed the paintings by historical periods so that visitors had the opportunity to trace the development of Russian art. A restoration workshop was also founded under him. At the end of the year, the works hanging in the hall of the Tretyakov Gallery were available for viewing by the general public.

After the revolution, the entire collection was nationalized and transferred to the young republic. The State Tretyakov Gallery was created, the halls of which became accessible to all segments of the population. The collection has expanded significantly through mergers with other museums and the transfer of private collections that were nationalized during the years of Soviet power.

During the war, museum funds were taken to Novosibirsk. The Nazis bombed the capital mercilessly. In 1941, two high-explosive bombs hit the Tretyakov Gallery, causing significant damage. But the very next year, the restoration of the museum began, and by 1944, the doors of the gallery, beloved by the residents of the capital, were again opened to visitors.

Halls of the Tretyakov Gallery

Since the gallery's founding, the building has been rebuilt many times. New passages and additional rooms were created so that the collection could be presented in all its glory. Today the exhibition is located in 106 halls. Most are located in a building on Lavrushinsky Lane, there are 62 of them. The complex also includes the museum-temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Golubkina workshop-museum, the Vasnetsov house-museum and the Korin house-museum. Each room in the Tretyakov Gallery is an opportunity to touch art and see brilliant masterpieces. The collection contains over 150 thousand exhibits, most of which are familiar to everyone from childhood. Reproductions of many paintings were included in school textbooks throughout the country. You can get to know Russia from these paintings. After all, our sea is like forests - like Shishkin's, nature is like Levitan's. Even the best portrait of Pushkin, known to every schoolchild, is exhibited here.

Hall of Icon Painting

In every corner of the Tretyakov Gallery there are canvases that will take your breath away. But perhaps one of the most mysterious halls is the hall of icon painting. When handing over the collection, Pavel Mikhailovich, along with the paintings, also handed over 62 icons from his collection. Now there are several hundred of them in the museum. Each of them reflects the path of Orthodoxy on Russian soil. Among them are works by Rublev, Theophanes the Greek and other famous icon painters. And in the Tretyakov house church one of the most revered and ancient images is exhibited - the Vladimir Mother of God. She is already more than 900 years old.

Exhibition in Lavrushinsky Lane

The building on Lavrushinsky Lane, with the famous Vasnetsovsky facade, houses the bulk of the collection. In 62 halls, divided into 7 zones, works by the best masters of Russia and beyond are exhibited in chronological order. How large and diverse the Tretyakov Gallery is. A description of the halls would take several volumes of the printed publication. When going on an excursion, it is better to choose a specific artist or painting to devote most of your time to. Otherwise, your acquaintance with the galleries will be very superficial and incomplete. The names of the halls of the Tretyakov Gallery correspond to the collections exhibited in them.

Thus, ancient Russian art is represented by iconography.

And in the halls of the 18th-19th centuries, paintings by the great masters Levitsky, Rokotov, Ivanov, and Bryullov are exhibited. A special room was built to display Ivanov’s painting “The Appearance of Christ to the People.” And Rokotov became famous for the largest number of portraits of unknown people. It was important for him to capture and convey on canvas the features and character of a person, but at the same time he did not necessarily have to be famous. Among Bryullov’s works, one can note the masterfully executed work “Horsewoman,” where a young girl with amazing grace sits astride a magnificent stallion.

Also captivating is the hall where works by artists of the second half of the 19th century are presented. Here you can immerse yourself in the magical world of realistic art, where every detail is made with amazing care. In Repin’s paintings, you can physically feel how the sun is baking on the lawn, how every leaf is swaying in the wind. And Vasnetsov’s “Three Heroes” seem to be protecting the country’s borders from uninvited invaders even today. By the way, here you can also see the works of Vasnetsov Jr.

Surikov’s paintings “Boyaryna Morozova” or “Morning of the Streltsy Execution” convey the emotional intensity of each participant in those events. There is not a single indifferent face or random character here. Everything is described with an authenticity that boggles the imagination.

The section reflecting painting at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries presents works by such geniuses as Serov, Vrubel, as well as representatives of the Union of Russian Artists.

Treasures of Russian art

The Tretyakov Gallery is large and diverse. The halls, paintings, sculptures, graphics will not leave anyone indifferent. A separate part of the exhibition is the “Treasury”, where objects made of precious metals and gems are exhibited. The fine work of the jewelers is mesmerizing.

Graphics

A separate room is dedicated to graphic art. All works presented in this technique are very afraid of light; these are fragile creations. Therefore, special lighting, slightly dimmed, was installed to demonstrate them. The largest collection of Russian graphics is exhibited here. And also a small, but no less valuable collection of porter miniatures.

Contemporary art

The building on the Tretyakov Gallery displays art from the Soviet period to the present day. Visitors observe with interest how ideology influences the artist.

Halls of Masters

The collection includes individual works, but there are also entire collections of paintings by one master. The hall dedicated to the artist in the Tretyakov Gallery contains only his works from different periods. This is the exhibition of Shishkin’s works. But other masters of the brush received a similar honor.

Since its opening, the Tretyakov Gallery has become the richest collection of paintings and art objects. Even the Russian Museum, created at the state level, was inferior in popularity to this private collection.