The Abramtsevo estate has been a symbol of inspiration for artists and writers for two centuries. It is located near the village of Khotkovo. 3 kilometers from the estate is the Intercession Khotkov Monastery, and 15 kilometers to the north is the city of Sergiev Posad.
Abramtsevo Estate was built in the 18th century in a picturesque place on the high bank of the Vorya River. It was owned by various noble families until the writer Sergei Aksakov bought Abramtsevo in 1843. In Abramtsevo Aksakov wrote the famous fairy tale The Scarlet Flower, however, for his contemporaries he was better known as a literary and theater critic.
A literary society was formed at Aksakov`s estate. Many famous writers, poets, actors, historians often came to visit here. Tyutchev, Turgenev, Shchepkin, Zagoskin, Khomyakov, Shakhovskoy, the Kireevsky brothers and many others visited here. The memorial room of Nikolai Gogol, a close friend of Aksakov, has been preserved in the Main Estate House. The writer lived in Abramtsevo for several months in 1849 and 1851. During this period, Abramtsevo can be compared with the Ostafievo Estate, which belonged to Duke Vyazemsky. Many famous creative people of that time also came to visit him, and the estate was even called "Russian Parnassus".
After Aksakov`s death, his daughter sold Abramtsevo to rich businessman Savva Mamontov. By that time, the estate had fallen into disrepair, but Savva Mamontov bought it as a place of attraction for the creative elite of those years. Aksakov`s house was cramped for a large Mammoth family with 5 children, so it was significantly expanded.
Mamontov’s Art Society
In the period from 1873 to the end of the 19th century, the golden age of the Abramtsevo Estate came. It became the center of attraction for all famous Russian artists of those years. Savva Mamontov, during his trip to Rome in 1872, met the artist Polenov and the sculptor Antakolsky. He invited them to stay with him in Abramtsevo.
Savva Mamontov was a very rich man, but at the same time he helped creative people develop their talents. The so-called Abramtsevo’s (Mamontov’s) society was formed in Abramtsevo estate, which united dozens of artists.
The Abramtsevo’s society included artists Repin, Vasnetsov, Polenov, Serov, Vrubel, Korovin, Levitan, Matveev, Nesterov and others. Mamontov created workshops here where artists could work. Creative activity has been in full swing in Abramtsevo for decades. Artists could not only work here, but also relax. In the evenings they staged theatrical performances, organized creative evenings.
Many masterpieces of Russian painting were created in Abramtsevo. Vasnetsov painted the paintings "Epic Heroes" and "Alyonushka" here, Nesterov painted the painting "Vision to the boy Bartholomew". Repin painted the paintings "Zaporozhtzi write a letter to the Turkish Sultan" and "Did not wait". Serov painted the painting "Girl with Peaches" at the table of the Estate house, and the model for the painting was Mamontov`s daughter Vera. In Vasnetsov`s painting "Alyonushka", Vera was also the model.
Vasnetsov lived with his family in Abramtsevo for almost 10 years. Savva Mamontov built him a separate house, which was called "Yashkin House". Polenov and Vrubel lived in Abramtsevo for a long time. Vrubel painted one of the most famous paintings "The Sitting Demon" here. In the workshops, Vrubel worked on his majolica technique. Vrubel`s Bench has been preserved in Abramtsevo Park, and almost all Abramtsevo houses have his stoves.
Savva Mamontov`s Legacy in Abramtsevo
Contemporaries called Savva Mamontov "Savva the Magnificent", by analogy with Lorenzo de` Medici, who entered the history under the name of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Both men earned these names thanks to the patronage of the arts. Mamontov made the greatest contribution to the development of art, but he also did a lot for development of theaters.
It started with home performances in the Main House of Abramtsevo. Savva Mamontov directed the performances, Vasnetsov and Polenov were responsible for the scenery. The actors were Savva`s children, artists and their companions. These performances inspired Mamontov to create a Russian private Opera in Moscow. It became the first private opera house with a permanent troupe. Thanks to Mamontov, the talent of Fyodor Chaliapin and Nikolai Rachmaninov was discovered.
In 1899, Savva Mamontov was accused of embezzlement of a large sum and arrested. Six months later, he was released, but difficulties arose with the continuation of the business. He built two railways. One led from Moscow to the north to Arkhangelsk, and the other – through the steppes of Donbass to the south to the port of Mariupol. The shareholders accused Mamontov of constructing unnecessary roads and losses, however, with the outbreak of the WWI, both roads turned out to be critically necessary for the supply of the army and the survival of the country. The only railway that connected Russia through Smolensk and Warsaw with Europe was cut.
Three of Savva`s children died before him. They were buried in the necropolis of the Church of the Savior of the Abramtsevo estate. Savva Mamontov himself died in 1918. He is also buried in the necropolis of the Abramtsevo estate.
