How did it happen that fairy-tale towers appeared on the streets of Moscow at the end of the 19th century

  • Aug 20, 2022
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How did it happen that fairy-tale towers appeared on the streets of Moscow at the end of the 19th century

Remembering the history of the development of primordially Russian architecture, the not pompous palaces of Petrovsky immediately come to mind. baroque, and boyar towers, decorated with carved architraves, spectacular wooden decor, and even bright tiles on facades. Yes, the very estates that could often be seen in illustrations for Russian fairy tales. Such a ceremonial and bright view of buildings (remember St. Basil's Cathedral) was popular not only during the formation of the Russian kingdom. After Peter's Europeanization, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the elite was drawn to the original Russian motifs, which were also reflected in the architecture of Moscow.

The emergence of the pseudo-Russian style, which formed the basis of the avant-garde trend of the 20th century

The house of the merchant Nikolai Igumnov on Bolshaya Yakimanka is one of the brightest examples of the “fairy tale house” built in Moscow at the end of the 19th century. | Photo: tripadvisor.ru.
The house of the merchant Nikolai Igumnov on Bolshaya Yakimanka is one of the brightest examples of the “fairy tale house” built in Moscow at the end of the 19th century. | Photo: tripadvisor.ru.
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The house of the merchant Nikolai Igumnov on Bolshaya Yakimanka is one of the brightest examples of the “fairy tale house” built in Moscow at the end of the 19th century. | Photo: tripadvisor.ru.

By the middle of the 19th century, when the European style became boring to artists, architects and the elite of the Russian state, they began to appreciate primordially Russian icons, decorative elements both in interior design and in architectural elements and forms. Aristocrats and merchants began to get involved in collecting folk crafts (colorful utensils, works of applied art made of wood, clay and glass), and architects again they remembered wooden carving, Russian patterning, kokoshniks, zakimars, platbands, bright mosaics, tiles and other elements inherent in ancient samples of Russian architecture.

The most impressive architectural objects built in pseudo-Russian and neo-Russian styles. | Photo: mos.ru.
The most impressive architectural objects built in pseudo-Russian and neo-Russian styles. | Photo: mos.ru.

In fairness, the authors of Novate.ru would like to note that the sparked interest in the Old Russian canons was not copied, no replicas were created of the most interesting objects / objects, and special elements were developed, which, although intertwined with antiquity, had their own style. Eclectic implementations in the form of a combination of several directions at once, used in construction and interior design for several centuries, made it possible to create unique images, ranging from addiction to fractional decoration of almost every architectural element and ending with the principles of free planning, popular even in pre-Petrine and Old Russian time.

On the facade of the Tretyakov Gallery in Lavrushinsky Lane, the features of a Russian tower with platbands-kokoshniks are clearly visible. | Photo: mos-holidays.ru.
On the facade of the Tretyakov Gallery in Lavrushinsky Lane, the features of a Russian tower with platbands-kokoshniks are clearly visible. | Photo: mos-holidays.ru.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the pseudo-Russian style developed into a neo-Russian one, which had a huge impact on the avant-garde movement in Russia and laid the foundation for the emergence of Russian modernism in architecture.

1. State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum in Moscow is a vivid example of pseudo-Russian style. | Photo: putidorogi-nn.ru.
The State Historical Museum in Moscow is a vivid example of pseudo-Russian style. | Photo: putidorogi-nn.ru.

The State Historical Museum, which appeared on Red Square in 1875-1881. is one of the most impressive part of the architectural ensemble built in the pseudo-Russian style. The main building of the Historical Museum is in harmony with the Moscow City Duma and GUM, which have become one of the main attractions of Moscow.

The irregular shape of the building structure and the different design of each part of the facade testify to the eclectic direction of the Russian style (State Historical Museum, Moscow). | Photo: rus-ekskurs.net.
The irregular shape of the building structure and the different design of each part of the facade testify to the eclectic direction of the Russian style (State Historical Museum, Moscow). | Photo: rus-ekskurs.net.

In order for the new object to echo the Kremlin towers, architect Vladimir Sherwood and engineer Anatoly Semenov, who designed this grandiose building, had to combine several styles, which led to the appearance of a majestic object. Spectacular towers; complex hipped roof shapes; tops of towers with an abundance of figures of heraldic animals (double-headed eagles, lions, unicorns); richly decorated massive porch; an abundance of decorations on the facade of the building in the style of Russian patterning (widths, columns, cornices, a lot of kokoshniks); elements of fortification architecture (decorative vertical loopholes) - all this is associated with the roots Russian national culture, an expression of the national spirit, which became a hallmark of the popular style.

2. Ivan Tsvetkov's mansion on Prechistenskaya embankment

Ivan Tsvetkov's mansion on Prechistenskaya embankment is an original landmark of Moscow. | Photo: gallerix.ru.
Ivan Tsvetkov's mansion on Prechistenskaya embankment is an original landmark of Moscow. | Photo: gallerix.ru.

The historical architecture of Moscow is so multifaceted that the appearance of a small but distinctive house on Prechistenskaya embankment is quite common, if you do not know that it was built not in the pre-Petrine era, but in the last years of the XIX century. Although, given that the customer for the construction was a banker, patron of the arts and an avid collector who is fond of Russian traditions and art - Ivan Tsvetkov, it immediately becomes clear why a mansion appeared on Prechistenskaya Embankment, very similar to those that were built a couple of centuries before developments.

The people called the Tsvetkov Mansion very quickly dubbed the house-casket, for its resemblance to the boyar chambers of the period of the 17th century. | Photo: voskresensk-24.ru.
The people called the Tsvetkov Mansion very quickly dubbed the house-casket, for its resemblance to the boyar chambers of the period of the 17th century. | Photo: voskresensk-24.ru.

Ivan Tsvetkov decided to build a gallery for his collection of paintings and graphics, but before deciding on an architectural style, he personally studied the intricacies of the art of ancient Russian architecture. At the same time, he did not limit himself to paintings and books alone, he traveled a long way, visiting the most amazing architectural monuments of Moscow and some Russian cities with a rich history. Having decided on the style and layout, he invited the famous artist Viktor Vasnetsov, who was engaged in the design of the "boyar chambers" and their painting.

To this day, the Tsvetkov Mansion pleases the eye and is one of the most remarkable architectural monuments in Moscow. | Photo: aroundcard.com.
To this day, the Tsvetkov Mansion pleases the eye and is one of the most remarkable architectural monuments in Moscow. | Photo: aroundcard.com.

As a result, the mansion-gallery turned out to be original and canonically Russian: stone pillars connected by arches; the complex volume of the roof hanging over the building; a bulbous roof-dome over a stone balcony, the parapet of which is decorated with fly (decorative element in the form of a square recess in the wall covered with tiles or carved details); front door with wall lamps-lanterns; columnar architraves with keeled kokoshniks, stylized patterns of the 17th century; colorful tiles and much more.

3. Mansion of Anna Lopatina on Bolshaya Nikitskaya

The original Lopatina mansion on Bolshaya Nikitskaya was built in the pseudo-Russian style (photo before 1910). and today after the restoration).
The original Lopatina mansion on Bolshaya Nikitskaya was built in the pseudo-Russian style (photo before 1910). and today after the restoration).

One of the most colorful and memorable mansions from the category of fairy-tale towers is the estate of Anna Vasilievna Lopatina on Bolshaya Nikitskaya. The design and construction of the architectural complex was carried out by the famous Moscow architect A. FROM. Kaminsky (he also designed the Tretyakov Gallery). A feature of this object was its unusual design and layout, which are not typical for buildings of that period in Moscow. This was explained by the fact that the estate was intended not only for the life of a well-known merchant family engaged in supply of seafood, but also the place of storage of these products (refrigerators, warehouses, office), as well as apartments profitable house. After construction was completed in 1876 the complex had only two floors and clearly stood out against the background of other buildings, because it was decorated in a pseudo-Russian style, in which new trends and ancient Russian motifs were filigree intertwined.

Fragments of the facade, decorated with multi-colored facing bricks and bright decor (Lopatina's Mansion, Bolshaya Nikitskaya).
Fragments of the facade, decorated with multi-colored facing bricks and bright decor (Lopatina's Mansion, Bolshaya Nikitskaya).

hipped completion of the roof; facing with ceramic tiles, reminiscent of cross-stitch; windows united by a wide frieze band (ground floor) and decorated with pseudo-Russian architraves (second floor); flanked columns adorning the corners; decorative ceramic inserts; tiled tiles; a lot of decorative elements in the style of Russian patterning - all this is a vivid example of a return to Russian roots in architecture.

4. Profitable house Pertsova in Kursovoy Lane

The “Fairy Tale House” by the famous artist Sergei Milyutin perfectly characterizes the neo-Russian architectural style of Moscow (Pertsova's Profitable House in Kursovy Lane).
The “Fairy Tale House” by the famous artist Sergei Milyutin perfectly characterizes the neo-Russian architectural style of Moscow (Pertsova's Profitable House in Kursovy Lane).

The neo-Russian style mansion, better known as the Pertsova House, is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful and original buildings in Moscow. Although you should not be surprised at such an original and striking architectural landmark, because it was designed by Sergey Malyutin, an architect and artist whose work has been known to many since childhood. He illustrated fairy tales. Pushkin and painted the first Russian matryoshka.

In the forms of the Pertsova Profitable House in Kursovy Lane, the features of Art Nouveau are visible.
In the forms of the Pertsova Profitable House in Kursovy Lane, the features of Art Nouveau are visible.

In this project, implemented in 1907, the features of the neo-Russian style are already clearly visible, which smoothly passed into modernity. This is evidenced by: asymmetry, both in the structure of the building itself and in the forms of balconies and windows; a roof decorated with numerous tower-like ledges of various shapes with an asymmetrical arrangement of structural and decorative elements. And here are the colorful majolicas (a special type of ceramics made of large-pore clay, covered with two layers of glaze and painting), on which you can see ornate images of animals and mythical creatures, heavenly bodies and fabulous motifs that adorn the main entrance, red brick walls and pediments - make it look like a classic Russian tower.

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5. Manor complex of the merchant Shchukin on Malaya Gruzinskaya

The first Shchukin mansion was designed by an architect of Austrian origin Bernhard Freidenberg (Manor complex of the merchant Shchukin on Malaya Gruzinskaya). | Photo: moskvichmag.ru.
The first Shchukin mansion was designed by an architect of Austrian origin Bernhard Freidenberg (Manor complex of the merchant Shchukin on Malaya Gruzinskaya). | Photo: moskvichmag.ru.

On Malaya Gruzinskaya there is a very remarkable house that stands out against the background of the rest of the development. Thanks to representatives of a famous merchant family, who are fond of collecting items art and antiquity, Shchukin, Moscow boasts another object built in pseudo-Russian style. This architectural complex was commissioned by Pyotr Ivanovich Shchukin, who planned to open one of the most significant Museums of Russian antiquities.

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The first building of the estate complex of the merchant Shchukin on Malaya Gruzinskaya was built in the best traditions of Yaroslavl architecture. | Photo: kelohouse.ru.
The first building of the estate complex of the merchant Shchukin on Malaya Gruzinskaya was built in the best traditions of Yaroslavl architecture. | Photo: kelohouse.ru.

Notable: The architectural complex, designed by different architects, was built in several stages. The first building, built in 1892–1893, became a model of Yaroslavl architecture, since it looks like an old Russian tower, which inherent: roofs "in chess", weathercocks in the form of flags and double-headed eagles, a stepped hipped porch, a balcony (a mini-copy of the balcony of the boyars' chambers Romanovs on Varvarka), facing with bricks with multi-colored tiles, decor in the form of medallions, bas-reliefs, diamond rustications and tiles. The pseudo-Russian style, fashionable at that time, was in perfect harmony with the contents of the growing collection of the Shchukins, and therefore the following objects were built in the best traditions of Russian architecture with spectacular inclusions of colorful and eclectic elements that turned these buildings into masterpieces of Moscow architecture.

Not always new trends in art and architecture are perceived with such enthusiasm, as happened with the pseudo-Russian style. Take, for example,
7 masterpiece projects that the world community initially accepted with hostility.
Source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/280522/63113/