Literary and historical notes of a young technician. Biography and paintings of Alexander Benois "Academician Alexander Benois - a most subtle esthete, a wonderful artist, a charming person"

Working on a painting in the studio, creating sketches theatrical costumes and decorations, preparing for the publication of another article about art... This was an ordinary day for Alexandre Benois, an artist, critic, art critic and theater figure.

From the Benois dynasty

Alexander Benois was born in St. Petersburg in the family of the architect Nikolai Benois and his wife Camilla. Among Alexander Benois's relatives were Albert Kavos, the creator of the Mariinsky Theater project, actor Peter Ustinov, and artist Zinaida Serebryakova. Almost half of the representatives of the Silver Age culture were in one way or another connected with the Benois family.

In his memoirs, the artist emphasized that his artistic and aesthetic views formed two categories of experiences. The first and most powerful is the theater. Alexandre Benois forever linked the concept of “artistry” with the concept of “theatricality”. It is on the stage, in his opinion, that it is possible to achieve the highest goal of art - the synthesis of arts. The second category of experiences is the impressions of getting to know the St. Petersburg royal residences and suburbs.

“From these various Peterhof impressions... probably my entire subsequent cult of Peterhof, Tsarskoe Selo, and Versailles originated.”

Alexander Benois

“Cover the subject as widely as possible and study as deeply as possible”

Alexander Benois studied at the private Karl May gymnasium in St. Petersburg. Here he became close to Sergei Diaghilev and other participants in the future World of Art. For some time he attended evening classes at the Academy of Arts. His brother Albert taught him basic painting skills.

Alexander Benois believed that only through self-education can one achieve perfection in one's profession. Throughout his life he studied fine arts and became a brilliant art critic. Among his works is a chapter on Russian artists for the German collection “History paintings of the 19th century century", "History of painting of all times and peoples", one of the best guides to the Hermitage and much more.

“Towards the simplest and truest images of reality”

“In me, “passeism” began to manifest itself as something completely natural back in early childhood. ... Much in the past seems to me to be well and long ago familiar, perhaps even more familiar than the present.<...>My attitude towards the past is more tender, more loving than towards the present.”

Alexander Benois

Benoit especially often painted Tsarist Petersburg and its palace and park ensembles, scenes from the lives of historical characters, landscapes of France and the parks of Versailles.

Benois wrote “The ABC in Pictures” and created illustrations for “The Bronze Horseman” and “The Queen of Spades” by Alexander Pushkin, which went down in history book graphics.

Theater occupies a special place in his work. Benoit created scenery for productions and developed costume designs. He helped design several performances for the Russian seasons in Paris.

Alexander Benois at the Gorky Commission

Alexandre Benois fought to preserve cultural heritage. Right after October revolution he worked closely with Maxim Gorky in the Commission for the Protection of Monuments of Art. The artist was one of the first to visit Winter Palace after its assault and described it in his memoirs.

Benois helped restore the activities of the Russian Museum and put together a new exhibition of art of the 18th–20th centuries. Later the artist became the manager art gallery V State Hermitage, at the same time carried out research work.

He also worked to preserve architectural monuments Petersburg and its suburbs, and he covered the results of his work in a series of articles.

“This is the people’s property, this is our property, and we need to do everything in our power so that the people realize this and so that they take possession of what rightfully belongs to them. The very idea of ​​the nationality of all art, of everything in which people from the people invested their ideals of beauty, this idea should now come to light and come to life with special force.”

Alexander Benois

Aesthetic views of the "World of Art"

The World of Art circle (like its magazine) became, in Benoit’s words, “a practical necessity.” There was a crisis in the society of the Itinerants, and the artists needed a new vector of movement. The magazine introduced the audience to Western classics and modernism, Russian painting and architecture.

At various times, the association included Valentin Serov, Isaac Levitan, Mikhail Nesterov, Mikhail Vrubel, Lev Bakst, Konstantin Somov and, of course, Sergei Diaghilev. Ilya Repin also shared the views of the Miriskuniks.

“We were guided not so much by considerations of an “ideological” order, but by considerations of practical necessity. A whole number of young artists had nowhere to go.”

Alexander Benois

The “World of Art” declared beauty to be the main goal of creativity. The subjectivity of this goal gave artists complete freedom - both in choosing a topic and in choosing artistic means.

Alexander Nikolaevich Benois (French Alexandre Benois; April 21, 1870, St. Petersburg - February 9, 1960, Paris) - Russian artist, art historian, art critic, founder and chief ideologist of the World of Art association.

Born on April 21 (May 3), 1870 in St. Petersburg, in the family of architect Nikolai Leontyevich Benois and his wife Camilla, daughter of architect A. K. Kavos. Elementary education received at the gymnasium of the Humane Society. From 1885 to 1890 he studied at the private gymnasium of K. I. May, where he met his future colleagues in the “World of Art” Dmitry Filosofov, Walter Nouvel and Konstantin Somov.

He studied at the Academy of Arts for some time, but did not graduate, believing that one can become an artist only by continuously working. Also studied fine arts independently and under the guidance of his older brother Albert. In 1894 he graduated from the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University.

He first presented his works at an exhibition and attracted the attention of specialists in 1893. In 1894, he began his career as a theorist and art historian, writing a chapter on Russian artists for the German collection “History of 19th Century Painting.” At the end of 1896, together with friends, he came to France for the first time, where he painted the “Versailles Series” - paintings depicting the parks and walks of the “Sun King” Louis XIV. In 1897, he gained fame with a series of watercolors “The Last Walks of Louis XIV,” painted under the impression of his stay in Paris and Versailles. Three paintings from this exhibition were acquired by P. M. Tretyakov. In 1896-1898 and 1905-1907 he worked in France.

He became one of the organizers and ideologists of the art association “World of Art” and founded the magazine of the same name. Together with S.P. Diaghilev, K.A. Somov and other “World of Art” artists, he did not accept the tendentiousness of the Wanderers and promoted new Russian and Western European art. The merger drew attention to applied arts, architecture, folk crafts, raised the authority book illustrations, graphics, design art. Promoting the old Russian art and Western European masters of painting, in 1901 he began publishing the magazines “Old Years” and “ Artistic treasures Russia." Benoit, one of the most significant art critics of the early 20th century, introduced the expressions avant-garde and Russian Cézanne into circulation.

In 1903, Benoit created a series of illustrations for A. S. Pushkin’s poem “ Bronze Horseman"is one of the masterpieces of Russian book graphics. Subsequently, the artist repeatedly returned to this plot; in total, his work with illustrations for Pushkin’s last poem lasted 19 years - from 1903 to 1922. During this period, Benoit worked a lot for the theater, creating scenery and directing. In 1908-1911 - artistic director“Russian Seasons” by Sergei Diaghilev, which glorified Russian ballet art abroad.

In 1919, Benois headed the Hermitage Art Gallery and published its new catalogue. Continued to work as a bookstore and theater artist and the director, in particular, worked on staging and designing performances of the Petrograd Bolshoi drama theater. Last job Benois in the USSR became the design of the play “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Bolshoi Drama Theater. In 1925 he took part in International exhibition modern decorative and industrial arts in Paris.

In 1926, A. N. Benois left the USSR. Lived in Paris, where he worked on sketches theatrical scenery and suits. Participated in S. Diaghilev’s ballet enterprise “Ballets Russes” as an artist and director of performances. In exile he worked a lot in Milan in opera house La Scala.

IN last years worked on a detailed memoir. Died on February 9, 1960 in Paris. He was buried in the Batignolles cemetery in Paris.

Descended from the Benois artistic dynasty: son of N. L. Benois, brother of L. N. Benois and A. N. Benois and cousin Yu. Yu. Benoit.

He married in 1894 the daughter of the musician and bandmaster Karl Ivanovich Kind, Anna Karlovna (1869-1952), whom he had known since 1876 (since the marriage of Alexander’s older brother, Albert Benois, to older sister Anna - Maria Kind). They had children:

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Self-portrait 1896 (paper, ink, pen)

Biography of Alexandre Benois

Benois Alexander Nikolaevich(1870-1960) graphic artist, painter, theater artist, publisher, writer, one of the authors modern image books Representative of Russian Art Nouveau.

A. N. Benois was born into the family of a famous architect and grew up in an atmosphere of reverence for art, however art education not received. He studied at the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University (1890-94), but at the same time independently studied the history of art and was engaged in drawing and painting (mainly watercolors). He did this so thoroughly that he was able to write a chapter on Russian art for the third volume of “The History of Painting in the 19th Century” by R. Muter, published in 1894.

They immediately started talking about him as a talented art critic who upended established ideas about development Russian art. In 1897, based on impressions from trips to France, he created his first serious work - a series of watercolors "The Last Walks of Louis XIV", showing himself in it to be an original artist.

Born on April 21 (May 3), 1870 in St. Petersburg, in the family of architect Nikolai Leontyevich Benois and his wife Camilla, daughter of architect A. K. Kavos. He received his primary education at the gymnasium of the Humane Society, graduated from the Maya gymnasium. He studied for some time at the Academy of Arts, and also studied fine arts independently and under the guidance of his older brother Albert. In 1894 he graduated from the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University. In 1894 he began his career as a theorist and art historian, writing a chapter on Russian artists for the German collection “History of 19th Century Painting.” In 1896-1898 and 1905-1907 he worked in France. He became one of the organizers and ideologists of the art association “World of Art”, founded the magazine of the same name. In 1916-1918, the artist created illustrations for the poem “The Bronze Horseman” by A. S. Pushkin . In 1918, Benois headed the Hermitage Art Gallery and published its new catalogue. He continued to work as a book and theater artist and director, in particular, he worked on staging and designing performances at the Petrograd Bolshoi Drama Theater. In 1925, he took part in the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. In 1926, A. N. Benois left the USSR. He lived in Paris, where he worked on sketches of theatrical scenery and costumes. Participated in S. Diaghilev’s ballet enterprise “Ballets Russes” as an artist and director of performances. Died on February 9, 1960 in Paris. In recent years, he has been working on detailed memoirs.

Born on April 21 (May 3), 1870 in St. Petersburg, in the family of architect Nikolai Leontyevich Benois and his wife Camilla, daughter of architect A. K. Kavos. He received his primary education at the gymnasium of the Humane Society, graduated from the Maya gymnasium. He studied for some time at the Academy of Arts, and also studied fine arts independently and under the guidance of his older brother Albert. In 1894 he graduated from the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University. In 1894 he began his career as a theorist and art historian, writing a chapter on Russian artists for the German collection “History of 19th Century Painting.” In 1896-1898 and 1905-1907 he worked in France. He became one of the organizers and ideologists of the art association “World of Art”, founded the magazine of the same name. In 1916-1918, the artist created illustrations for the poem “The Bronze Horseman” by A. S. Pushkin . In 1918, Benois headed the Hermitage Art Gallery and published its new catalogue. He continued to work as a book and theater artist and director, in particular, he worked on staging and designing performances at the Petrograd Bolshoi Drama Theater. In 1925, he took part in the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. In 1926, A. N. Benois left the USSR. He lived in Paris, where he worked on sketches of theatrical scenery and costumes. Participated in S. Diaghilev’s ballet enterprise “Ballets Russes” as an artist and director of performances. Died on February 9, 1960 in Paris. In recent years, he has been working on detailed memoirs.

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Alexander Nikolaevich Benois. Portrait by Leon Bakst

Alexander Nikolaevich Benois is a major art critic, painter, publisher and author of magnificent illustrations, writer and theater artist, one of the founders of Russian Art Nouveau.

Biography of the artist Alexandre Benois

The artist Alexander Nikolaevich Benois was born in 1870, in St. Petersburg, in the family of the famous architect Nikolai Leontievich Benois. In the family of the future artist, art was simply revered, but the parents insisted that their son enter St. Petersburg University and become a lawyer. While studying at the university, Alexander Nikolaevich independently studied the history of art, took up drawing, mastered. History is silent about what kind of lawyer Benoit was. In 1894 (the year Alexander graduated from university), the third volume of “The History of Painting in the 19th Century” by R. Muter was published. This volume includes a chapter on Russian art, authored by Alexandre Benois.

And they immediately started talking about Alexander Nikolaevich as a most talented art critic who simply overturned established ideas about the development of Russian art.

In 1897, after trips to France, Alexandre Benois presented to the public the first series of his watercolors under common theme"The Last Walks of Louis XIV." The public was completely delighted, and critics started talking about the emergence of a new, talented, original artist.

In 1893, Benoit wrote a series watercolor landscapes outskirts of St. Petersburg. It must be said that his landscapes are more like a tribute history than nature. The artist is more fascinated by historical figures, architecture, and costume. And nature serves only as a magnificent decoration for the events depicted by the painter.

From 1897 to 1898 Benoit wrote the series watercolor paintings about the parks of Versailles. And again, critics speak not about the splendor of nature, but about the clearly recreated spirit of bygone times, the atmosphere of a beautiful, magnificent past.

The next big theme in the artist’s work is Peterhof, Oranienbaum and Pavlovskoye. And again the grandeur of architecture, fountains, parks and history.

At the end of the nineteenth century, Alexander Benois created the “World of Art” association, in which he became the main theorist and inspirer, wrote a lot, appeared in print and became the author of the weekly “Art Letters” in the newspaper “Rech”.

Benoit does not forget about the history of art - in 1901 and 1902 he was widely born famous book"Russian painting in the 19th century." The publisher Benoit begins publishing the series “Russian School of Painting” and “History of Painting of All Times and Peoples.” The production of these series ceased, for obvious reasons, in 1917.

There was also the magazine “Artistic Treasures of Russia” and the magnificent “Guide to the Hermitage Art Gallery”. And all this was done with the most active and direct participation (and under the leadership) of Alexander Nikolaevich Benois.

And there was also a hobby book graphics and creation of illustrations for a number of works by A.S. Pushkin. And the works of the magnificent theatrical artist Benoit. He created sketches of costumes and scenery for theater performances, ballets and operas. I will not bore you with a list of everything that has been done in this field - only other artists theatrical creativity would be more than enough for a lifetime. What is it worth to participate in the management of the Moscow Art Theater together with K.S. Stanislavsky and V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko!

The revolution of 1917 crossed out with an iron hand great amount projects and undertakings of Alexander Nikolaevich Benois and he began working in a variety of organizations that tried to preserve monuments of antiquity and art.

Since 1918, Benois was in charge of the Hermitage art gallery and developed new plan the general exhibition of the museum, which was noticed and noted by the art lovers still remaining in Russia.

Since 1926, the artist has lived and worked in Paris. He practically doesn’t paint anymore – he’s simply consumed by longing for his homeland. Sketches of costumes and scenery for Diaghilev’s theater, participation in the creation of theatrical productions...

And memoirs. Just the most valuable memories and thoughts about people, events, art.

The artist died in February 1960. Buried in Paris.