The exhibition “Hearty Merriment” has been opened in the Museum of Dionisy’s Frescoes in Ferapontovo. It presents works of artists Viktor Belov, Yuri Koval, Viktor Uskov, Vadim Razin-Ivanov.
Ferapontovo is the land of lakes. There are amazingly beautiful landscapes surrounded with coniferous forests around it. Besides, it is the land of high sky, extraordinary sunsets and northern winds… The Ferapontov Monastery, its snow-white walls, hipped roofs of the Holy Gate, the architectural ensemble in general are the dominant of the landscape. The Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral was decorated with frescoes by the outstanding Russian icon-painter Dionisy in 1502.
This geographic place of the Russian North always attracted artists of our country. Interest in it increased in the second half of the 20th century. It became the Mecca both for the artists and the creative intelligentsia. A certain creative community of figures of Russian culture was gradually formed around Ferapontovo. Some artists were lucky – they could take roots, buy or construct a house in the outskirts of Ferapontovo. The others came periodically to the place that became source of inspiration for them.
Development of this spiritual space can be divided into three periods: movement, comprehension and transformation. The man’s soul gradually revives and brightens. His mental vision becomes more acute. Perception of the outward things, understanding of the wise beauty of nature, eternity increases…
Yulia, daughter of artist Yuri Koval, told: “In the 1960s, on the recommendation of A.N. Ovchinnikov, Viktor Belov went to Ferapontovo, met with the Vyushins and parted no longer with this region. No wonder that the other friends – participants of the art union “Ties of the Yauza” - got the infectious “northern” disease. In 1973, they clubbed together to buy a house of Kirsan in the Odenyevo village located 5 km from the monastery. The old Kirsan sheltered young talents and their friends for many years. V.N. Belov kept house, repaired and reconstructed the building. Y.I. Koval built his own small log house on the Tsypina Mountain. It is still called a “bathhouse of Koval”. Anatoly Geleskul, great poet, translator and close friend of the friends, also lived there. He settled in the local legends with his singularity. It was connoisseur of poetry Geleskul who compared the humorous rhymes of Vologda with Spanish cante hondo. The unique community of artists was formed in Odenyevo. The residents of Moscow were not the first who appreciated this amazing beauty of the local places. Vologda’s painters Bronislav Ivanovich Shabaev, founder of the creative dynasty Yuri Nikolaevich Petrov, Cherepovets’ artist Vladislav Alexandrovich Sergeev still live on the Tsypina Mountain. The inhabitants of Odenyevo communicate with each other and the Tsypina Mountain has really become a small creative reserve thanks to their efforts…
This exhibition presents various works of the friends. Some of them were created according to the canons of the classic art, the others can seem avant-garde. But even in their free pictures, the team-mates didn’t betray that foundation – love for their origins – they stood on. Besides, acquaintance with the works of great Dionisy certainly left indelible imprint on their souls…”
The exhibition will be open till May 25.
