History of Russia: “Talented Serfs” Exhibition timed to the 150th anniversary of serfdom abolition in Moscow

12 November 2011 the “Talented Serfs” (Moscow) launches the exhibition “Talented Serfs” timed to the 150th anniversary of serfdom abolition in Russia.

The unique collection of museum rarities relevant to the famous serf theater of Sheremetevs is presented by the Moscow Estate Museum “Ostankino”. The public will see author’s drafts of decorations, actors’ costumes, various scenic attributes.

Among the heroes of the “Talented Serfs” are famous painters of the 19th century Orest Kiprensky, Vasiliy Sadovnikov, Nikolai Utkin and one of the founders of the Russian Empire style, the author of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, architect Andrei Voronikhin – all of them were born into serfs’ families but their exclusive artistic skills allowed them to not only obtain freedom but also occupy a respectable place in Russian history and culture. The exhibition also features a magnificent gallery of paintings by these artists, along with watercolors and drawings from the collections of the “Talented Serfs”.

Handwritten collections of the Museum are represented by rare documentary evidences of the serfdom age – deeds of purchase, authorization of leave, amateur sketches of everyday life of serfs.