M. Gorky and V. Vasnetsov: the Unknown about the Known

Abstract

A scientific study of unpublished correspondence between M. Gorky and V.M. Vasnetsov and other archival sources has been conducted, which allowed a new look at the complex, even conflicting personal and creative relationships of two major figures of Russian artistic culture of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The documents found, despite their private nature, raise the main questions of human existence, faith and religion. At the same time, they testify to the deep ideological and political split of Russian society on the eve of the revolution, including its artistic elite. It is shown that Gorky admired the bright talent of Vasnetsov, the artist, from a young age, the pathos of his paintings, praising the heroic strength and invincible spirit of the Russian people. Vasnetsov also took great interest in the young, but already well–known writer – a native of the people. But the correspondence that began between them in 1900 immediately revealed an insurmountable gap in their religious and socio-political views. This was especially clearly manifested in the attitude towards the national genius of Russia – L.N. Tolstoy and his conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church. Therefore, the friendly relations between the writer and the artist, which began in the spring of 1900 with mutual sincere sympathy, did not last long and, apparently, were interrupted in the autumn of the same year.