ART
Life in the Name
of the National Art
After the years, the good intentions of
the young collector brilliantly became reality.
In 1892 Moscow and the whole Russia as well,
received as a gift from Pavel Tretyakov a large
(about 2 thousand paintings, drawings and
sculptures) and already famous gallery of
authentic masterpieces of the national art.
And the grateful Russia represented by its
leading artists said to the gift giver: "... The
news of your donation has flown around Russia
long ago, and it brought to anyone who
cherishes the interests of Russian
enlightenment the lively joy and surprise on the
significance of the efforts and sacrifices you
brought in its favor".
So who exactly was Pavel Mikhailovich
Tretyakov and what was the reasoning in his
actions and undertakings? Throughout his
whole life, Tretyakov remained to be a big
businessman, in glory and in obscurity, he was
a worthy continuer of trading business of his
grandfather - the Moscow merchant of the
3rd guild, the lowest in the merchant "Table of
Ranks". Tretyakov died being an eminent,
honorary citizen of the city of Moscow, having
greatly increased capital of his ancestors. At
the same time, he wasn't a merchant in
nature, but the one who perceived art with his
heart and who nobly remained faithful to it.
For example, he always purchased paintings
for their full cost and never tried to reduce
their price to make a good deal. The writer
Polevoi describes his introduction to Tretyakov
as follows:
"I was expecting to meet a man of a
usual commercial type: tall, imposing and of a
heavily built, with a firm step and bold
confidence in his eyes, but suddenly I saw in
front of me a tall, but very thin man of
unknown age, a bit stooped, with a little beard
and a little tuft of hair, which made his long
and narrow face look even longer and
narrower. There was some fatigue on his face.
Having sat in front of me in a leather chair,
Pavel Mikhailovich slightly leaned his body from
the table, with his head titled to one side,
crossed his thin long arms, with thin and
beautifully outlined fingers, fixed his deep
thoughtful eyes on me and got silenced. There
was something inscrutable under his usual
imperturbable calmness, something that you
could consider as if he was pleased to be
surrounded by his artistic treasures, that he
was pleased to show them, to talk about
them".
February 2019 №2
H i s c o nte m p o ra r i e s we re d e e p l y
surprised by his natural mind and impeccable
style. Being closely acquainted with the huge
number of artists, writers, musicians and
being friends with many, Tretyakov willingly
listened to their advice and comments, but he
always acted in his own way and, as a rule,
didn't change his decisions. He didn't tolerate
the interference in his affairs. Kramskoy, who
was indisputably most respected and
welcomed by Tretyakov, had to note: "I have
known him for a long time and made sure that
no one has any influence on Tretyakov, either in
his choice of paintings or in his personal
judgment...". Over time, the aesthetic
elegance, rigorous selectiveness, and, of
course, his pure intentions helped Tretyakov to
gain a deserved and unquestionable authority
and had given him the "privileges" that no
other collector had had: Tretyakov got a right
to be the first to watch the new works of
artists, either directly in their workshops or at
exhibitions, but before their public
presentation, as a rule.
SUNRISE
21