The Radishchev Museum in Saratov, among other things, is also notable for the fact that it is one of the oldest provincial museums in Russia. It has existed since 1885 and is widely known in artistic circles. Often people from afar come to the city mainly to visit the Radishchev Museum. Saratov, among other things, is also known in the world for this attraction.
How it all began
The actual history of the museum began a full eight years before the date of its official opening. The basis of his collection was a private collection of the Russian artist A. P. Bogolyubov, who lived in Paris, who was the grandson of A. N. Radishchev. The collection was a collection of works of art and a library of rare books and handwritten documents. All this was donated to the city of Saratov, subject to the provision of decent premises for a permanent museum exhibition. The name of the outstanding Russian thinker, writer Radishchev should be immortalized in the name of the future museum. A prerequisite was also to ensure the availability of the collection for all who wish to familiarize themselves with it. This circumstance turned out to be one of the most serious problems that the future Radishevsky faced even before his discovery.museum. Saratov simply did not have a building that would fully meet the stated requirements.
Museum Building
The city authorities of Saratov were forced to build a new, worthy building in order to be able to accept as a gift a collection of works of art from the collection of professor of painting A. P. Bogolyubov. This architectural work could not be ordinary due to its status as a museum of artistic and historical values. The project was entrusted to the famous St. Petersburg architect I. V. Shtrom. And the place was chosen quite appropriate - in the historical center of the city. The local architect A. M. Salko supervised the construction. The two-story stone building, designed in the style of Russian classicism, was completed two years later. A suitable room appeared on Theater Square, where the Radishevsky Museum could be located. Saratov was looking forward to this event. At the opening of the museum, in addition to many officials, the famous founder of the Tretyakov Gallery was also present.
Collection additions
Administrative assistance to the project was provided by such historical figures as Konstantin Pobedonostsev and the new Emperor of Russia, Alexander the Third, who takes over the reign. The monarch even donated several paintings from his collection to the new museum. This is how the Radishevsky Museum began. Saratov became the first Russian provincial city, which opened a collection of art of this level for the general public. This event is goneunnoticed in Russia. Only in the first year of operation, the museum was visited by more than sixty thousand people. The basic part of the collection was soon supplemented by new acquisitions from the funds of the Hermitage and the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts.
After the revolution
During the Soviet period of history, the museum's collection was replenished repeatedly. But the largest influx of new works of art occurred shortly after the end of the Civil War, when exhibits from the State Museum Fund were transferred to the funds of the Saratov Museum, along with other provincial centers of culture. Today, the paintings of the Radishchev Museum cover the entire period of the formation and development of Russian art - from the beginning of the eighteenth century to the present day. The collection of European art is also very representative. And of course, the cultural heritage of the Soviet era is widely represented in the halls and funds of the Saratov Museum - works that correspond to the traditions of socialist realism. The collection, formed by the beginning of the 21st century, makes it possible to attribute the Radishchev Museum to the number of cultural centers of world significance.
What you can see in Saratov
Paintings from the funds and expositions of the provincial museum are well known in the art world. For many art historians around the world, the phrase "Radishchev Museum. Saratov" is quite familiar. Photos of its exhibits adorn many albums of paintings, catalogs and websites specializing in the field of fine arts.art. Those who come to Saratov will be able to see with their own eyes in the Radishchev Museum the works of artists of world significance. These are the works of the classics of Russian painting - Bryullov, Semiradsky, Borovikovsky, Ivanov, Kiprensky, Shishkin, Aivazovsky, Surikov, Repin, Perov. No less interesting are the works of authors who worked in the revolutionary era, at the turn of the century - Petrov-Vodkin, Borisov-Musatov, Falk, Malevich, Exter and Kuznetsov.
In the information field
Of course, the Saratov Museum has its own website on the Internet. Its address is radmuseumart.ru. Today, any significant cultural center throughout the world cannot but have its representation in the global information space. These are the unconditional requirements of the time. And everyone who is going to visit this Volga city can get all the necessary information in advance on all areas of the cultural program that interest him. In order not to miss anything important, you should simply look at the website of the Radishchev Museum. Saratov often hosts very representative international exhibitions, and you can see them within the walls of this very respected cultural center in Russia. It should be noted that in terms of its design level, the site of the Radishchev Museum corresponds to the object of high cultural significance that it represents on the Internet. The information on it is well-organized, stylistically correct and updated regularly.
Radishchevskymuseum (Saratov). Exhibitions and promotions
Modern staging of museum work involves a number of activities that go beyond the simple exhibition of works of art in the funds. First of all, these are the so-called "exchange exhibitions" with other well-known museums. The art assets of museum collections are in a state of turnover, and this allows the interested public to get acquainted with works that have a permanent residence permit in other cities. The Radishchev Museum in Saratov is actively involved in this rotational process. In addition, such non-standard events as the "Exhibition of one painting" or the exposition of folk art works of the Saratov Volga region are regularly held here. Work is underway in various socio-cultural and educational areas. In particular, an exhibition of traditional children's toys with master classes on their manufacture has recently ended. And of course, the Radishchev Museum cannot but take part in such an action that has gained wide popularity as the Night of Museums.
Branches of the Radishevsky Museum
During the Soviet period, the museum had a number of peripheral structures. These are, first of all, art galleries in the cities of Engels and Balakovo. In addition, houses-museums of artists whose work was associated with Saratov and its environs were created. These are the House-Museum of Pavel Kuznetsov, the Museum-Estate of Borisov-Musatov and the Petrov-Vodkin Museum in the city of Khvalynsk. These centers of culture receive constant methodological assistance from the regional center.
