Why Fyodor Shekhtel was called the "Mozart of Russian architecture", and which of his buildings can be seen in the capital today

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

One of his contemporaries said about Shekhtel: "". Shekhtel built as much as any architect could manage, while he worked very easily, cheerfully and with inspiration, showing tremendous imagination. No wonder Shekhtel was called "". 66 buildings in the capital were made according to his designs, fortunately, many of them have survived to this day. And all of them are a real decoration of the city.

The fate and work of Shekhtel are inextricably linked with Moscow, which he loved with all his heart. The work of Fyodor Osipovich Shekhtel largely determined the architectural appearance of pre-revolutionary Moscow. Today Shekhtel is rightfully considered the father of a purely Russian phenomenon - Moscow Art Nouveau. Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, who was friends with Shekhtel, called him the most talented of all architects in the world.

In fact, Schechtel's name is Franz Albert, but in 1914 he converted to Orthodoxy, thus receiving the name Fedor. German by birth, Shekhtel forever linked his fate with Russia. And his fate was not easy.

Having moved to Russia in the 18th century, Shekhteli settled in Saratov. At first, things went well, the family was quite wealthy, but after their father died, they fell on hard times. Mother went to work in Moscow, getting a job as a housekeeper for the famous collector P. Tretyakov, while Fyodor stayed in Saratov to finish his grammar school. Subsequently, he also moved to Moscow and entered the architectural department of the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.

But since he took care of supporting the family, Fedor had to earn extra money, and for frequent absences from classes he was expelled from the 3rd year. But the lack of art education did not prevent him from receiving the title of academician of architecture for his works in 1901. Although Shekhtel is considered the father of Moscow Art Nouveau, it is very difficult to fit his work into a certain stylistic framework. He created, playing with elements of different styles and directions, mixing and opposing them, coming up with new elements.

Shekhtel's "hut"

Speaking about the works of the great architect, one cannot ignore the mansions that Shekhtel built for himself. One of them is located in Ermolaevsky lane, next to the Mayakovskaya metro station. In this romantic miniature castle-mansion Shekhtel lived with his family for 14 years of his life. These were the most fruitful years of the architect.

The building consists of several parts that differ markedly in their appearance. Shekhtel loved to experiment, and in his own house he could quite afford it. Shekhtel treated this house with humor, and in a letter to A. P. He wrote to Chekhov: "…".

Against the golden background of the mosaic that adorns the main entrance, three irises are depicted - blossoming, blooming and withering - symbolizing the essence of being.

Today the building houses the residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Uruguay.

Shekhtel's mansion on Bolshaya Sadovaya

In 1910, the family moved to a more spacious house built by Shekhtel nearby, on Sadovaya Street. The children grew up, went to study at the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, the same one that their father never finished, so additional premises were required. This house has turned out in a more relaxed style, tending to classicism.

The building had a very difficult fate. In Soviet times, the house passed from hand to hand, and since 1991 it has been abandoned altogether. In 1991, homeless people settled in it, and for two years they lived there, burning everything that could burn in the fireplace. And in 1993 it turned out that the house was built by Fyodor Shekhtel and that he lived here. The building began to be restored slowly. The restoration was completed only in 2016, after which the house appeared in all its glory.

Mansion of Savva Morozov on Spiridonovka (Mansion of Zinaida Morozova)

In 1893 Shekhtel received an order, which became a turning point in his life. The famous philanthropist Savva Timofeevich Morozov, with whom Shekhtel had a real friendship, ordered the architect to build a luxurious mansion for his young wife, which he saw as a Gothic castle. Morozov himself was quite unpretentious and even ascetic, and Zinaida Grigorievna, regardless of her husband's money, led an extremely wasteful lifestyle. The new home of the Morozovs was designed to impress the capital. Since the construction of the mansion on Spiridonovka was not limited by any financial framework, many referred to it as nothing but the "dance of millions".

The mansion really turned out to be magnificent, becoming a true decoration of Moscow. Shekhtel developed absolutely all the details of the external interior: grilles, lanterns, gates, locks, handles, etc.

Inside, the house was also truly luxurious: Shekhtel attracted the then novice artist Mikhail Vrubel, with whom they were well acquainted, to design its lush interiors.

Zinaida Grigorievna was pleased: none of the merchants had such castles in Moscow yet.

Levenson's print building

One more magnificent creation of Shekhtel is AA Levenson's short-printing partnership. This building was erected in 1900 in Trekhprudny lane. It is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful houses in Moscow.

In 2016, the Levenson print building was reopened after 4 years of restoration.

The peculiarity of the external design is the weaving of natural elements into the architecture of the building; everywhere you can see the image of a thistle.

Ryabushinsky's mansion on Malaya Nikitskaya

Ryabushinsky's mansion is another unique building designed by Shekhtel.

Ryabushinsky's mansion is a classic example of Art Nouveau, the author with unprecedented courage ignores all the traditions of classicism, symmetry and clarity of forms. However, Shechtel's courage and innovation was not appreciated by everyone:

"" - this is how K. Chukovsky wrote about this building.

The building of the Art Theater in Kamergersky Lane

Another masterpiece of Shekhtel, on which he worked free of charge, is the well-known Moscow Art Theater. A. P. Chekhov, located in Kamergersky lane. The construction costs were covered by Savva Morozov, a famous Russian philanthropist.

The planned restructuring of a rather faceless building at that time, according to the plan of Fyodor Osipovich, was subordinated to the creation of a special emotionally rich atmosphere in the theater. At the same time, everything was taken into account to the smallest detail - the size of the premises, the color of the walls, floor, furniture, lamps, door handles. Fyodor Osipovich personally designed all this. And also a completely unique auditorium for those times with a revolving stage. And as a finishing touch with a stroke of the pen, he drew a seagull, which is the emblem of this theater to this day.

Yaroslavsky railway station

The most global project and the crown of Fyodor Osipovich's creativity was the Yaroslavsky railway station in Moscow, which was built from 1902 to 1904. The building looks like a fairytale palace.

Its interior was also luxurious, but that was before the revolution.

After the revolution, the Shekhtel family fell on hard times. The famous architect was left without work, the reason was that all construction in the country had stopped, there were simply no orders. Construction began only in 1929, with the beginning of the five-year plans, but Shekhtel did not live up to this time, in 1926 he died …

In Soviet times, few people knew about Shekhtel, but now interest in his work is steadily growing. Buildings created by him are being restored. Shekhtel's alley appeared in Moscow and his bust was installed near the Yaroslavsky railway station.

The noble "nests" of Moscow are of great interest today - capital estates that were lucky enough to survive in the twists and turns of history.