Famous Dynasties of Russian Patrons and Collectors. Tretyakovs

The list of famous names of Russian collectors and philanthropists should probably begin with perhaps the most famous patron of the arts, Pavel Tretyakov. Moscow owes him the existence of one of the most beautiful galleries in the city, the Tretyakov Gallery. At the same time, Pavel was not one of the richest people in the capital, but he did not spare money for art (supporting little-known artists, buying their paintings). According to estimates, he spent more than a million rubles, which even then (and even more so in today’s money) was an impressive sum. It is a pity that the name of his brother, Sergei Tretyakov, is less familiar to art lovers. He collected Western European art and bequeathed an impressive collection to his brother, who donated everything to the city. Thus, in 1893, the Tretyakov Gallery appeared, which already then had more than 1,300 paintings, half a thousand drawings and sculptures.

Mamontovs

The Mamontov merchant family became famous for its charity since the end of the 18th century. Residents of Zvenigorod even erected a monument to Fyodor Mamontov as a token of their gratitude. However, the name that “thundered” loudest was that of Savva Mamontov, thanks to whose help the Museum of Fine Arts (now the Pushkin Museum) was founded. His estate (Abramtsevo) became a place of attraction for the most prominent representatives of culture of the late 19th century. Mamontov contributed to the wide fame of Chaliapin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky (Savva founded the first private opera in the country). With his help, Vrubel “discovered” himself to the general public – the merchant built a pavilion for him, where the paintings of the brilliant artist were exhibited.

Morozovs

Mamontov’s namesake, Savva Morozov, developed the theater, and did a lot for the Moscow Art Theater, buying a mansion and equipping it with cutting-edge lighting equipment. His brother Sergei collected Russian applied and decorative art, which laid the foundation for the Handicraft Museum. After his death, the Tretyakov Gallery received Mikhail Morozov’s considerable collection, and Ivan Morozov’s treasures went to the Hermitage and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts after his emigration in 1918 (he was also the first patron of Marc Chagall, then an unknown artist).

Shchukins

For many years, Moscow merchant Ivan Shchukin collected ancient folios, coins, paintings, icons, and jewelry. By the time he donated them to Moscow, the collection numbered almost 25,000 items, with a truly unrivaled collection of paintings by Dutch masters, French impressionists, and postimpressionists. After the revolution, Shchukin emigrated to France, but the collection remained in Russia (in the Hermitage and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts) — that was the purpose for which he had collected it. According to Sotheby’s estimates, Shchukin’s collection would now be worth around $8 billion.