The exhibition is devoted to the
outstanding phenomenon in the history of Russian culture - the collection of
Vasiliy Kokorev (1817-1889) who was the merchant of first guild, commerce
counselor and old believer. Passionate patriot, talented and enterprising
person with wide nature, Kokorev approved his nickname - "Russian Original
Slug". His brilliant collection is marked with a very high level and the
wonderful integrality. Kokorev's gallery that was opened at January 1962 worked
only till midst of the 1860's when finance difficulties forced the owner to
begin the negotiations about the sale of collection. At the same time Kokorev
aspired to preserve its entirety. At March 1870 his 156 works of the Russian
School of painting had been purchased for the collection of crown prince of the
Russian Empire Alexander Alexandrovich (Russian Emperor Alexander the Third).
In 1897 at the time of organization of the Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander
the Third there were given 106 works of art that earlier adorned the collection
of Kokorev. Later in the exposition of the Russian Museum another works from
his gallery were included. In the 1920-1930's the significant part of this
group of this paintings was given to the permanent exhibitions in different
museums of USSR, though the bulk of Kokorev's collection was left in the
Russian Museum.
This exhibition gives the viewers an
opportunity to get acquainted with the general trend of gathering activity of
Kokorev, particularly with the true masterpieces of his gallery. The exposition
will bring together paintings and sketches for church sketches by Karl Brullov,
works by Feodor Alekseev, Pyotr Basin, Alexander Varnek, Alexei Venetsianov,
Grigoriy Myasoedov, Alexander Orlovsky, Vasiliy Tropinin, Nikanor Tchernetsov
and Grigoriy Tchernetsov, Sylvester Shchedrin and the other Russian artists of
the 19th century.
The
exhibition is supported by OJSC Lucoil
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