History of the Tretyakov Gallery
Pavel Tretyakov, the founder of the museum, began collecting art in the 1850s, initially acquiring works by Dutch painters. Early on, he envisioned creating an art gallery in Moscow. As his collection expanded, architects repeatedly reconstructed his house to accommodate the growing number of artworks.
In 1881, Tretyakov opened his private gallery to the public free of charge. A few years later, the gallery was presented to the city of Moscow and officially became known as the "Moscow City Gallery of Pavel and Sergei Tretyakov." At that time, the collection included 1,287 paintings, 518 drawings, 10 sculptures, and 84 works by foreign artists.
Between 1900 and 1905, the gallery's facade was reconstructed in the Russian Revival style, designed by the renowned Russian painter Viktor Vasnetsov.
In 1918, the gallery was nationalized and became property of the Russian Federative Soviet Republic, receiving the name The State Tretyakov Gallery.
The Tretyakov Gallery Collection
The Tretyakov Gallery's collection is renowned for its depth and diversity. It features masterpieces spanning centuries of Russian art, from medieval icons to contemporary works. Notable highlights include:
- Ilya Repin’s “Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks”: A monumental painting capturing the lively and rebellious spirit of the Cossacks, showcasing Repin’s exceptional storytelling and realism.
- Vasily Surikov’s “The Morning of the Streltsy Execution”: A powerful historical scene depicting the tragic aftermath of the Streltsy uprising, characterized by dramatic intensity and detailed realism.
- Ivan Aivazovsky’s “The Ninth Wave”: An evocative seascape illustrating the formidable power of nature, renowned for its luminous and dynamic depiction of a stormy sea.
- Icons and Religious Artworks: The collection once housed the famous “The Trinity” icon by Andrei Rublev, considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Russian iconography. Please note that “The Trinity” has now been transferred to the Sergiev Posad Lavra and is no longer part of the Tretyakov collection. Other significant icons include The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and The Icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 10:00 – 19:30 (ticket office closes at 18:30)
- Closed: Mondays
New Tretyakov (Krymsky Val Street)
The New Tretyakov Gallery exhibits 20th-century Russian and Soviet art, encompassing avant-garde, socialist realism, non-conformism, and other movements. Its most famous piece is Kazimir Malevich’s “Black Square”, a pioneering work of abstract art and Suprematism, symbolizing a radical departure from traditional representations.
Victor Vasnetsov Museum
Vasnetsov was one of Russia’s most prominent 19th-century artists, renowned for his depictions of Russian folklore and history. His notable works include:
- “The Knight at the Crossroads”
- “The Flying Carpet”
- “Bogatyrs” (The Three Bogatyrs)
- “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”
Housed in his intricately carved wooden house—an example of Russian Revival architecture—the museum contains approximately 25,000 original items, including furniture, glazed tile stoves, paintings, and sketches.
Other Branches and Notable Museums
- Engineering Building on Kadashovskaya Embankment
- Friendly Museum
- Pavel and Sergei Tretyakov Museum
- Apollinary Vasnetsov Museum
- Museum Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachy
- Museum of Pavel Korin
- Anna Golubkina Museum
- Library of Science
- Regional branches: Tretyakov Gallery in Samara, Kaliningrad, and Vladivostok
