Exhibitions: “What is Truth? Nikolai Ge. 180th birth anniversary” exhibition project launched in Moscow

On October 18th 2011 the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow is holding a press conference and a vernisage of “What is Truth? Nikolai Ge. 180th birth anniversary” exhibition. The exhibition will run from October 19 2011 through February 5 2012.

The year’s major exhibition project casts light on works of one of the most prominent, original and emotional artists of 2nd half of 19th century – Nikolai Ge (1831–1894). The exposition, which encompasses over 200 works, provides a new look on the oeuvre of the artist, who was looking for answers for “eternal questions” in his art. Nikolai Ge is shown as an author of famous historical canvases and portraits and as a creator of pioneering paintings from Gospel series, a landscape painter, and an outstanding master of drawing.

A major research together with serious scientific discoveries preceded the exhibition. Thus, beneath the layer of “Quod Est Veritas? (What is Truth?) Christ and Pilate” painting (1890) was uncovered another picture “Mercy” (1879), which is famous by photographs and recollections.

A genuine sensation of the exhibition will be demonstration of Nikolai Ge’s complete collection of drawings – 55 sheets (including 17 two-sided), which was purchased for the Tretyakov Gallery in the private collection in Geneva.

The layout of the exhibition is divided into six sections: “Academy of Arts. Beginning” (1850–1857), “Italy” (1857–1870), “St. Petersburg. Among the itinerants” (1870–1875), “Khutor. Ukraine” (1876–1894), Ge and Tolstoy” (1882–1894), “Holy series” (1884–1894).

At the beginning of the 1880s Nikolai Ge got acquainted with Leo Tolstoy. This meeting changed his life, and had a deep impact on his works. In “Ge and Tolstoy” (1882–1894) section visitors can see portraits of Leo Tolstoy and his family, Leo Tolstoy’s sketches by N. N. Ge Jr. (son of Nikolai Ge, writer’s secretary), and rare photographs.

The core of the exhibition is formed by works from the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection (over 90), the Russian Museum (over 40). The exposition also showcases works from 10 Russian museums, the State Arts Museum of the Republic of Belarus and Kiev Museum of Russian Art, which is the third largest possessor of Nikolai Ge’s works after the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum.

The project concept of the exhibition is accompanied by multimedia resources, such as a CD which provides access to graphic materials, archival photographs and documents, Nikolai Ge’s portraits, an article on creative friendly relationship between Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Ge, Leo Tolstoy’s book “What Men Live By” featuring illustrations made by Nikolai Ge. On display are also X-ray pictures of paintings – the result of the long studies of the Gallery’s research team, and also video materials which turn the spotlight on the process of restoration, on acquisition of the graphic collection to the Gallery (“History of Geneva Collection’s Return”) and “Tolstoy Alive” film based on the writer’s life-time video chronicle.

An educational program has been also prepared for the exhibition.