Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
1899
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Location in museum
The Benois Wing
Open the panorama of the hall in the virtual tour
Room 68 - Period Late 19th century – Early 20th century
- CategoryPortrait, History Painting
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M.V. Nesterov believed that the salvation of Russia lied in a moral ideal. For the artist the embodiment of such an ideal of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, the founder of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a hermit, a wonder-worker, a patron saint of all Russian lands. The image of Sergius of Radonezh attracted the artist’s attention during his whole life. Nesterov studied his deeds in chronicles and annals, and the results of these studies were 15 major paintings dedicated to the “hegumen of all Russia”. Among them there are Vision to Young Varfolomey and Youth of Venerable Sergius created in 1892—1897; a triptych Deeds of Venerable Sergius dated back to 1896—1897; Venerable Sergius 1899; studies for the work Venerable Sergius Bids Farewell to Dmitry Donskoy created in 1898—1899 and many others. The painter himself wrote about his favourite character: “I painted the life of a good Russian man of the 14th century, a man who sensed Nature and its beauty, and a man who loved his motherland and strived for truth. I illustrated a legend that my people made long ago about a person who was worth their love and memory”.