The exhibition “The Brilliant Russian Painters” of paintings by Russian painters from the collection of paintings belonging to the Serbian artist Vladimir Besic opened Thursday, May 12, at the Russian Center for Science and Culture.
“I wanted the exhibition to focus on important historical events, starting with the baptism of Russia, passing through the heroic defense of Sevastopol in the Crimean War, to the painting “St. Sophia Cathedral”, which reflects the regret for the lost capital of Orthodox Christianity,” Vladimir Besich said in an interview with the Russian “TASS” agency. .
There are also the works of Russian plastic artists who, after the October Revolution (1917) took refuge in Serbia, who reflect almost the same series of historical events, and the preparation for the exhibition was very emotionally intense.” He added that the intensity of feelings is reinforced by the fact that the exhibition was held in the Russian House (the Russian Center). for Science and Culture in Belgrade), which carries a powerful message.
As for the director of the Russian Center for Science and Culture, Yevgeny Baranov, he described the exhibition as an important occasion and the return of Russian art to his home because the Russian House in Belgrade was established by White Guard officers and representatives of the Russian diaspora. It is no coincidence that the exhibition focuses on symbolic events that show the West’s attitude towards Russia. The exhibition organizer tried to display Russia’s ability to preserve its authenticity over the centuries and its contacts with the Slavic Orthodox, especially the Serbs.
The central part of the exhibition is occupied by the painting “The Giant Dobrynya Nikitich” by the Russian painter Konstantin Kuznetsov and the painting “The Wing” by Stepan Kolesnikov, where the Russian and Serbian national emblems occupy a major place. This part of the exhibition symbolizes the historical unity and friendship between the Russian and Serbian peoples.
There is also a collection of Russian and Serbian icons dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
The exhibition continues with the portrait of Princess Mafalda of Savoy and the granddaughter of King Nicholas Petrovich Njegosh, one of the works of Kolesnikov, as a painter who truly loved the Serbs and considered him a close artist to them.
It is noteworthy that the exhibition includes about 100 works of art by Russian and Serbian artists.