Memorable Dates of Russia: Exhibition, marking the 240th anniversary of Vasily Zhukovsky, presented at the Pushkin House in St. Petersburg

The exhibition marking the 240th anniversary of Vasily Andreyevich Zhukovsky has opened in the “Golden Age of Russian Literature” Hall in the Literary Museum of the Institute of Russian Literature of the RAS (Pushkin House, St. Petersburg).

The unique collection of the Pushkin House Literary Museum, related to Zhukovsky, is based on materials from the family archive received in 1928 from the collection of Alexander Feodorovich Onegin (Otto), as well as on materials of close to Zhukovsky families of Yelagins-Voyekovs-Beärs.

Sculptural, pictorial, graphic portraits of the poet and people from his entourage, copies of manuscripts and drawings by Zhukovsky, memorials are featured in the museum’s exposition in the “Golden Age of Russian Literature” Hall.

The anniversary date makes it possible to expand the story about the poet by including items that are rarely exhibited. This time, the materials of the last period of Zhukovsky’s life are shown to the public.

In 1840, the poet together with the heir to the throne, Great Prince Alexander Nikolayevich, went on a trip to Europe. A unique album from 1840, dating back to his time in Germany, contains drawings of the poet and the first sketch of the poem Ahasver. The Wandering Jew (a new idea to the implementation of which Zhukovsky will return only in 1851, but will never finish it). Next to the poems is a drawing by Zhukovsky with a view of the town of Ems, where on June 9 (21), 1840, the poet spoke with the sovereign about his intention to arrange a family life with the maiden Elizabeth, the daughter of his friend Gerhardt von Reutern.

Departure to Germany in 1841 and the marriage did not cancel the return to Russia with the family in a few years. However, for various reasons, it did not happen. Without a doubt, Zhukovsky saw himself as a wanderer, Odysseus. It is no coincidence that from 1842 to 1849 he worked on the translation of Homer’s poem, presented at the exhibition in the first publication. Zhukovsky’s family idyll is also reflected by such exhibits as portraits of his wife and children, a drawing depicting the last house in Baden-Baden, and one of the poet’s last photographs. Another unique exhibit is a passport for departure of Zhukovsky and his family members to Russia, issued on May 12 (24), 1848, and repeatedly extended. Finally, a list of Zhukovsky’s poem Tsarskoe Selo Swan, written by the hand of his valet V. Kalyanov in 1851, with the poet’s edits, can be considered the concluding piece of the exhibition. Identifying himself with a swan floating on the Tsarskoe Selo pond, he anticipates his imminent demise, and figuratively sends greetings to Russia, where he will never return. Contemporaries considered the poem a poetic testament of Zhukovsky.

The exhibition will run until February 22, 2023.