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Tretyakov Art Gallery: On Must-See list, Moscow

 

 


The Tretyakov Gallery

 

 

Russia's National Treasury of pre-revolutionary and Russian Art

 

The Tretyakov Gallery was founded by Pavel Tretyakov (1832 - 1889), a Moscow merchant and art patron.

The Gallery's centenary was widely celebrated throughout Russia in May 1956.

Tretyakov spent his life collecting the works of Russian painters which reflected the spirit and ideas of all progressive and intellectual of his day.

He started his collection in 1856 with the purchase of "Temptation" (1856) by N. Shilder and "Finnish Smugglers" (1853) by V. Khudyakov. These paintings are permanently displayed at the Gallery now.

In order that the collection better reflected centuries-old traditions of Russian art, Pavel Tretyakov acquired works from various epochs and also started a collection of ancient icons.

 

Tretyakov was one of the few people of his time who realized the great intrinsic value of ancient Russian art. His collection grew rapidly.

 

Tretyakov was one of the few who realized the great intrinsic value of his vast collection of Russian art. In 1892 he presented it to the city of Moscow, thus establishing the first museum in Russia.

 

By special decree of the Soviet Government, issued on June 3, 1918 and signed by Vladimir Lenin, the Gallery was designated one of the most important educational establishments of the country. It was also decreed that the name of its founder be retained in honor of Tretyakov's contribution to the Russian culture.

 

The collection has grown considerably in the years since the Revolution.

In 1893 it consisted of 1805 works of art, by now the number had increased to over 35,000.

 

The best works of art from different periods and schools are displayed here.

 

Works by Rublev and Dionysius, Ivanov, Bryullov, Fedotov, Venetsianov, Perov, Aivazovsky, Kramskoi, Vasnetsov, Vereshchagin, Vrubel, Savrasov, Levitan and Yaroshenko are exhibited in the Gallery's 54 halls of the State Tretyakov Art Gallery.

 

 

 

State Tretyakov Art Gallery: Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev

 


Holy Trinity

1425–1427
Wood, tempera

State Tretyakov Art Gallery, Hall 60 

Author: Andrei Rublev (1360-1430)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Adrei Rublev:

The earliest surviving record of Andrei Rublev is found in the Trinity Chronicle.

According to the chronicle, Andrei Rublev painted the murals of the Annunciation Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin (1405), along with Theophanes the Greek and Prokhor from Gorodets.

 

Undisputed works by the great master also include the murals of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir created together with Daniil Cherny in 1408 and "The Trinity" (1425-1427), patronal icon of the Cathedral of the Trinity-St Sergius’s Monastery painted upon request of St Nikon of Radonezh.

 

During his last years Andrei Rublev was a monk of the Savior-St Andronik’s Monastery in Moscow, where he painted the murals of the Savior’s Cathedral.
 
He was buried in the Monastery and later canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.
 
Andrei Rublev’s art was closely linked to the spiritual and moral ideals of his age. The Russian victory over Tatars at Kulikovo (Kulikovo Battle) in 1380 boosted national consciousness and consolidated Russian statehood.
 
The calls for peace, unity and general conciliation, made by St Sergius of Radonezh and his followers, also influenced Rublev’s work. The distinctive features of his style are mild and smoothly rounded lines, bright coloring void of sharp contrasts as well as remarkable harmony and spirituality of images

  

State Tretyakov Art Gallery: address 10 Lavrushinsky drive Moscow

Open: 10 am - 7 pm
Closed: Monday