Information
Landmark: State Tretyakov GalleryCity: Moscow
Country: Russia
Continent: Europe
State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia, Europe
Overview
The State Tretyakov Gallery (Государственная Третьяковская галерея) stands among the world’s most celebrated art museums, a place where visitors pause before gleaming gold icons and portraits steeped in history.Inside, you’ll find an outstanding collection of Russian fine art, often hailed as the country’s leading institution for it, with works tracing the path of painting, sculpture, and iconography from the glow of medieval icons to bold modern canvases.The main building of the State Tretyakov Gallery sits in Moscow’s Luzhnikov district, on Lavrushinsky Lane, just a short walk from the Moscow River where the water glints in the afternoon sun.The gallery sits just a short walk from several of Moscow’s landmark cultural spots, like the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and the red-bricked towers of the Kremlin.In 1856, Pavel Tretyakov-a well-known Russian industrialist and generous patron-founded the Tretyakov Gallery, starting with his own collection of Russian art to create a public space that would champion the nation’s culture.Tretyakov first displayed his collection in a private mansion, but over the years it swelled to include treasures by Russia’s finest artists, from the shimmer of medieval icons to the bold strokes of 19th-century masters.In 1892, Tretyakov handed over his entire collection to Moscow, sealing the gallery’s birth as a public institution, its halls already heavy with the scent of oil paint.Over the years, the gallery grew, adding new wings, fresh collections, and a sharper focus on contemporary Russian art-paintings still smelling faintly of oil and varnish.Today, the State Tretyakov Gallery stands as one of Moscow’s great cultural landmarks, drawing visitors from across Russia to its halls lined with vibrant canvases.The original gallery, designed in the 19th century by architect Vladimir Shukov, showcases Russian Revival style, blending ornate traditional motifs with the bold, modern touches of its time, like sharp rooflines against pale stone walls.In 1985, the gallery grew significantly with the addition of a new wing-architect Alexey Shchusev’s design in a refined neoclassical style, marked by tall columns and pale stone.The complex now includes several buildings, each holding its own collection and exhibition-one room even smells faintly of old paper and varnished wood.Collections: The Tretyakov Gallery holds more than 180,000 works, from delicate 12th‑century icons to bold modern canvases, showcasing the full sweep of Russian art.The museum’s collection ranges across centuries and styles, from gilded icons to stately portraits and bold 20th-century canvases.Early Russian Art & Icons: The Tretyakov Gallery holds a remarkable collection of Russian Orthodox icons, their gold leaf catching the light, showcasing some of the finest works of Byzantine and Slavic religious art.You’ll see early masterpieces from the Novgorod, Kievan Rus, and Moscow schools, their colors still vivid under the soft gallery lights.Among the best-known is Andrei Rublev’s “Trinity,” its three serene figures bathed in soft, golden light.Created in 1420, it’s a masterpiece of Russian iconography, glowing with deep reds and gold.At the Tretyakov Gallery, the heart of the halls is its 19th‑century Russian art collection, glowing with oil portraits and sweeping landscapes.It features celebrated pieces by some of Russia’s greatest painters, including Ivan Aivazovsky, whose sweeping seascapes crash with silver waves and capture the sea’s wild drama.Ilya Repin was one of the leading figures of Russian realism, painting works like *Barge Haulers on the Volga* and *Ivan the Terrible and His Son* with such force that you can almost feel the river’s weight or hear the gasp of horror in the room.Viktor Vasnetsov was known for bringing Russian folklore and mythology to life, from misty forest scenes to his iconic painting “Bogatyrs.”Alexey Savrasov was known for his landscapes, especially the wistful scene in *The Rooks Have Come Back*, where dark birds wheel over a thawing field.The gallery houses a remarkable collection of Russian Realist and Symbolist works from the late 1800s and early 1900s, including paintings that capture winter streets glistening under lamplight.Works by Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel, and Boris Kustodiev fill the walls, capturing Russian culture, rich folklore, and the shifting social mood of the era.Soviet and Modern Art: The gallery showcases pieces from the Soviet era and later, including standout examples of socialist realism-the bold, idealized style that dominated the early Soviet years.Among the most notable Soviet artists were Alexander Deineka, Dmitry Zhilinsky, and Tamara de Lempicka, whose bold colors still feel warm on the canvas.You’ll also find an impressive collection of post-Soviet Russian art, with contemporary pieces by celebrated artists whose names echo in both Moscow studios and international galleries.Notable Artworks: The Tretyakov Gallery holds an enormous collection, yet a few stand out-like the warm, golden glow of Andrei Rublev’s “Trinity” (c.Created in 1420, it’s celebrated as a masterpiece of religious iconography, glowing with the gold leaf common in sacred art of the time.Ilya Repin’s 1885 painting *Ivan the Terrible and His Son* captures the tsar mid-frenzy, blood on his hands and horror in his eyes.Viktor Vasnetsov’s *Bogatyrs* (1898) shows three Russian knights scanning the horizon beneath a wide, pale sky.Levitan’s *Over Eternal Peace* (1894) captures the quiet sweep of a Russian landscape, where the still water and endless sky hold both sorrow and beauty in balance.The State Tretyakov Gallery often stages temporary shows, from luminous 19th‑century Russian portraits to bold, modern works by artists from around the world.The gallery showcases everything from centuries-old Russian icons and misty countryside scenes to bold avant‑garde pieces and striking contemporary works.The gallery has built its reputation on remarkable exhibitions that explore Russian history, celebrate literary greats, and showcase influential art movements like the soft light of Impressionism or the bold shapes of Modernism.The Tretyakov Gallery ranks among Moscow’s must-see cultural spots, pulling in millions each year to admire its walls lined with Russian masterpieces.Step inside the gallery and you’re surrounded by the world of Russian art-paintings glowing under warm light, temporary shows that change with the seasons, permanent collections you can return to, plus talks, classes, and tours that bring each piece to life.You can stroll to the museum from the Kremlin in just a few minutes, and it’s an easy ride on public transport-Kropotkinskaya Metro Station is right nearby.The museum offers hands-on exhibits and family events, from art stations where kids can paint to guided tours for curious adults, making it a learning spot for everyone.Fun fact: Pavel Tretyakov, who built the gallery, was a wealthy industrialist with a love for art so deep he once bought a portrait straight off an easel.He dreamed of building a national treasure of Russian art, a place where anyone could walk in and stand before a glowing canvas from the past.Major Donors: Alongside Tretyakov’s own collection, influential Russian families and generous patrons have, over the years, helped shape the gallery-sometimes donating entire rooms filled with art.The Russian aristocracy and imperial patrons made notable contributions, from funding grand theaters to commissioning portraits that still glow with rich oil paint.Russian Icons on Display: The Tretyakov Gallery houses one of the world’s largest collections of Russian Orthodox icons, their gold leaf catching the light like fire.The gallery displays a rich sweep of Russian iconography, from a 12th‑century panel darkened with centuries of varnish to luminous works crafted in the 18th century.Influence on Russian Art Education: The Tretyakov Gallery has shaped Russian art education for decades, hosting lively exhibitions and hands-on seminars where the smell of fresh paint sometimes lingers in the air.
