An exhibition of nameless works of art of the XVII - XIX centuries in the Russian Museum

The collection of the Russian Museum is rich in masterpieces, some of which have lost the name of their author. From August 22, visitors will be able to "face" the unknown, coming to the exposition, which presents over 200 paintings and sculptures.

In total, the museum has 800 unidentified canvases belonging to the second half of the eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. The most striking portraits, landscapes, still lifes, sculptures were selected for the exhibition. Of course, in comparison with the 15 thousand paintings from the collections of the museum, whose authorship was established, this is only a grain. However, without these works, for a long time held in the private hands of various collectors and entering the Russian Museum from all over the world, the idea of the fine art of this period would be extremely incomplete.

Knowledgeable connoisseurs of painting will be very surprised by the mastery of the performance of some works that can be exhibited on equal terms with eminent works of art. This will help get rid of the ossified notion that only paintings by famous artists are worth something. The absence of the author’s name allows us to perceive exclusively the work, because the fate and character of the master remain unknown and do not affect the mind of the beholder.

Most of the work has never "been published" and has not bothered with serious criticism. Perhaps some of these works belong to the pen of a famous creator, perhaps his students. Be that as it may, the diverse subjects of the exhibition (children’s, military, imperial portraits, city landscapes, natural landscapes, historical paintings, still lifes) will not leave anyone indifferent. And until October 8, everyone will be able to impartially evaluate the beautiful nameless canvases.

Eve Istr