The Abramtsevo Museum-Reserve is an amazing place in the Moscow region, known for its picturesque views and special atmosphere. Since the 18th century, the estate was owned by the A. M. Volynsky, F. I. Golovina, L. V. Molchanova, S. T. Aksakova, S. I. Mamontov. Each of the owners of Abramtsevo made a significant contribution to the development of this place. The fate of the estate is filled with interesting facts and legends.
Living fairy tale
Photo Credit: Moneycantbuy
On the territory of the estate, much was rebuilt when it was owned by a couple of famous patrons of the Mamontovs. The couple had several of their own and adopted children. Elizaveta Mamontova (wife of Savva Mamontov) wanted to create a fairy-tale world for children, surrounded by the beauties of Russian nature. To this end, she asked the great artist V. M. Vasnetsov, who often visited the estate, to draw the project "Huts on chicken legs." As a result, in 1883, a masterpiece of wooden architecture, decorated with figures of fairy-tale characters, appeared in Abramtsevo.
In addition to the hut, in the western part of the estate, designed by I. P. Ropeta, a bathhouse was built, which outwardly resembles a teremok. The architectural elements of the attraction correspond to the classic Russian style. The most valuable are the well-preserved ones:
- tiled stove;
- antique furniture made of expensive wood species;
- carved mezzanine;
- floral ornament on the shutters.
Today, in the bathhouse-teremka, exhibitions of decorative and applied art are held, where you can see items of peasant life of the 18-19 centuries, made according to the sketches of E. D. Polenova, unusual dishes, painted in Khokhloma and Gzhel techniques.
Home theater
Savva Mamontov was distinguished by good vocal skills and outstanding talent. After traveling abroad in Italy, he brought interesting ideas for productions to Abramtsevo, acting as a director. The creative intelligentsia of that time gladly took part in performances of a fairly professional level. Mamontov spared no expense in costumes, decorations and lighting effects.
Having met Alexander Ostrovsky, the patron got the idea to stage the play The Snow Maiden based on the legends of Slavic mythology. The performance was a great success, first on the stage of the home theater, and then at the private opera of the Mamontovs. It is noteworthy that one of the main roles was played by V. M. Vasnetsov, who created sketches of fairy-tale characters and stage decorations for the performance.
Girl with peaches
The history of the legendary painting by Valentin Serov began in Abramtsevo. As the main character, the artist chose the eleven-year-old daughter of the Mamontovs, Vera. The girl posed for the master for several weeks. The future masterpiece was thought out to the smallest detail: peaches grown in the landowner's garden, a dining room where the creative intelligentsia of Moscow gathered, furniture, a grenadier in the left corner, drawn with incredible accuracy. Serov wanted to paint a picture in memory of himself for Savva Mamontov.
As a result, the picture became incredibly popular, but Vera Mamontova's fate was tragic. As an adult, Vera waited a long time for permission to marry her fiancé, who belonged to a noble family. The parents of the young man were against marriage with the daughter of a landowner.
After getting married, the couple had three children, one of whom died at the age of one. Vera soon fell ill with pneumonia and died at the age of 32. Her husband could not recover from grief for a long time and often came to Abramtsevo, plunging into happy memories of the past.
Vasily Polenov and Abramtsevo
V. Polenov was one of the best friends of Savva Mamontov and lived in Abramtsevo for several months. He was the only representative of the “Abramtsevo circle” who had hereditary aristocrats and nobles in his family. The estate not only inspired the artist to be creative, but also opened in him the gift of an educator. Vasily spent a lot of time with the sons of the Mamontovs, built a pier for them on the Vorya River, made sketches for boats.
Most of the artist's biography is associated with Abramtsevo. When Mamontov decided to build his own church on the estate, Polenov took an active part in creating sketches for the banners. In addition, the artist, inspired by the impressions of a trip to the Middle East, makes sketches for the altar of the church. The result is an altar, unusual for the Orthodox Church, decorated with carved wooden elements. Polenov also creates a chandelier in the form of a round lamp, consisting of several antique lamps. On the facade of the church, you can see the image of Christ painted by Polenov, which, with different refractions of sunlight, looks lighter or darker.
While working on the church, the artist fell in love with the cousin of the owner of the estate. Polenov and his chosen one became the first couple to get married within the walls of the new church.
