Towards the end of the 1860-s, P. M. Tretyakov planned to create a portrait gallery of prominent figures of Russian culture (“persons dear to the nation”) – composers, writers, artists.
Portrait of Leo Tolstoy, 1873 (author: Kramskoi, Ivan Nikolaevich). Pavel Mikhailovich wanted to have a portrait of L. N. Tolstoy as early as 1869, but the writer flatly refused to pose, only in 1873 I. N. Kramskoi managed to persuade him. P. M. Tretyakov wrote on this occasion: “I was very glad that you are painting a portrait of our famous writer; I thought that only you will be able to convince the unconvincing – I congratulate you.”
By this time, Pavel Mikhailovich in the selection of works already fully relies on his own taste, despite the objections, and sometimes the indignation of eminent artists. He began not only to buy works already created, but also to order portraits.
At this time, Tretyakov became a sincere supporter of the newly formed Partnership of Traveling Art Exhibitions (Peredvizhniki). Pavel Mikhailovich attends all those new exhibitions, provides material and moral support to the independent artists. From this period of time, most of the paintings for the gallery are bought at those “traveling exhibitions” or even before them, right in the artists’ workshops.
D. I. Mendeleev, 1878 (author: Kramskoi, Ivan Nikolaevich) – Russian scientist-encyclopedist. Among the most famous discoveries is the periodic law of chemical elements, one of the fundamental laws of the universe, inalienable to all natural sciences.
Vasily Perov, Portrait of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1872. Peredvizhniki (Russian: Передвижники, often called The Wanderers or The Itinerants in English, were a group of Russian realist-artists who formed an artists’ cooperative in protest of academic restrictions; it evolved into the Partnership of Traveling Art Exhibitions in 1870.
In aesthetic terms, the Partnership participants, or Wanderers, purposefully opposed themselves to academicians until the 1890s. They claimed to be inspired by populism. By organizing traveling exhibitions, the Wanderers conducted active educational activities and ensured the marketing of their works; The economic life of the Partnership was built on cooperative principles.
“Forester” – a painting by Russian artist Ivan Kramskoi (1837-1887), written in 1874. The painting is part of the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery. The size of the painting is 84 × 62 cm. This painting was also known under other names: “A man with a club”, “A man with a club in the forest” or “A man in a shot hat”. It represents the so-called “portrait-type” – a type of paintings that became widespread in Russian painting in the 1870-s.
Partnership of Traveling Art Exhibitionsb (Peredvizhniki)
Membership – Admission to the Partnership was carried out by running for a general meeting.
Type of organization – Creative Association of Artists.
Basis – Date of foundation: 1863
Liquidation – 1923 (USSR).
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Pavel Mikhailovich highly appreciated the talent of I. N. Kramskoi, with whom he became especially close in 1876. At this time, the artist lived at Tretyakov’s house in Lavrushinsky Lane, where he painted a portrait of Vera Nikolaevna Tretyakova.
Taking advantage of the malaise and forced inaction of the forever-busy Tretyakov, the artist began to paint his portrait. Since then, friendships began with families. The rapprochement was facilitated by both general artistic views and the belief in the public, civic mission of art.
Portrait of the artist I. I. Shishkin, 1873 (Author: Kramskoi, Ivan Nikolaevich)
Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi (1837 – 1887) – Russian painter and draftsman, master of genre, historical and portrait painting; art critic.
“Unknown Lady” – a painting by Russian artist Ivan Kramskoi (1837-1887), written in 1883 and which is part of the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery. The size of the painting is 75.5 × 99 cm. The portrait is often mistakenly called the “Stranger” because of the eponymous poem by Alexander Blok.
Alexander III (1845 – 1894). Author: Ivan Kramskoy. Aleksander III Aleksandrovich – All-Russian Emperor, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland since 1881. The son of Emperor Alexander II and the grandson of Nicholas I; father of the last Russian monarch Nicholas II. He adhered to conservative (nationalist) views and pursued a policy of counter-reforms, as well as the Russificationof national suburbs. He concluded the Franco-Russian Union. Under his rule, Russia did not wage a single war, for which he received the nickname Peacemaker.
