Artist of the week: Maximilian Voloshin
ARTinvestment.RU   13 июня 2013

The name Maximilian Alexandrovich Kirienko-Волошина well known to fans of Russian poetry of the Silver age, but Voloshin-художника know, unfortunately, not many

Name Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin, Kiriyenko is well-known to fans of the Silver Age of Russian poetry. And everyone knows about Voloshin, who had ever been in the Crimean village of Koktebel. Where at the edge of the Black Sea, "moored" it looks like a boat house and museum where the lava flows Karadag volcano millions of years ago, as if purposely developed in his profile, the memory of the poet and artist Maximilian Voloshin will live forever. Koktebel Voloshin and inseparable from each other. He was the singer of "the end of the blue mountains" (as translated from Turkic name Koktebel ), and glorified him not only the pen of the poet, but also the artist's brush. Fine art Voloshin is known, unfortunately, not much.

Koktebel Maximilian Voloshin lived most of his life, but his familiarity with the area east of the Crimea was held at once (as Voloshin himself wrote a native of this place, he was not by birth, and "adoption"). Birthplace of the poet and the artist in 1877 in Kiev, the son of a collegiate councilor. The father of his ancestors were Cossacks, but from the mother - of Russified Germans. Mother, Helen Ottobaldovna (nee Glaser), brought the boy actually one - they went with his father, when Max was very young, and in 1881 Alexander Voloshin Kiriyenko, has died, so the father and paternal relatives Voloshin really knew. By the time Helen was reputed to be a great Ottobaldovna originalkoy - preferred to wear men's suits for riding, smoking and around show their independence. Mother and son moved to Moscow, Max went to study in high school, but the study was given to him to work. Very inquisitive boy could not stay in the breech high school discipline, and thus had the deuce on almost all subjects and for the conduct of the three ongoing - and « not for being naughty, and for the objections and arguments ». But enthusiastically reciting poems at home - at first strangers, and then his own. The rejection of all that has been associated with high school, intensified longing for the south. In early childhood, she and her mother spent fall in Sevastopol and Yalta, of these journeys boy made a vague recollection « on vacant lots, dry herbs, slabs, stones ». He dreamed of the south and about to become a poet. And then, and another seemed unattainable - but celebrated.

When Maximilian was 16 years old, Elena Ottobaldovna decided to move to the Crimea. In Koktebel old-timer old Junge she purchased a piece of land from the sea. The boy was given in Feodosia school, with her old director KF Vinogradov, Moscow reviewing the progress report card of Max, warned Helen Ottobaldovna, saying, your son we take, but we must warn you that idiots do not correct . However, after a personal acquaintance with the boy changed the view of teachers, erudition and poetic talent of the young men have made such an impression on them that, when the same headmaster died Voloshin allowed to read at his grave my little poem that became his first published work. Voloshin was 17 years old, drawing it is not doing, but a lot of walking in the surrounding mountains, soaking up the uniqueness of the local landscape. Lean on vegetation and paint nature eastern Crimea fell in love with him immediately. In fact, to discover the uniqueness and the austere beauty of this land that turned then to his poetry and watercolors in a mysterious country Cimmeria, took many years of creative exploration and traveling the world.

In 1897, Voloshin entered the law faculty of Moscow University, but the diligent student of it again did not work for participation in a student strike, he was expelled in 1900 and exiled to Tashkent. Here, he says, he experienced a spiritual birth, looked « the entire European culture in retrospect - from a height of aziyskih plateaus ». At the Faculty of Law, he never came back, but instead went to Europe - roam the cities and villages, museums, and libraries. Maximilian decided to become an art critic and arriving in Paris in 1901, the school joined the Louvre museum studies, but the lecture course, in which the emphasis was on classical art, not art, it was not enough. And then he decided to become an artist, to « himself through, to understand the differences and daring art ». In addition, to try their hand at the art, the artist pushed Voloshin Elizabeth S. Kruglikova (1865-1941). In subsequent years, Maximilian traveled extensively in France, Germany, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Spain, Andorra, often went hiking with a backpack and a sketchbook with nature has always been with him.

But the serious visual arts classes did not have enough time. The most important time was poetry: Voloshin was actively published, entered the circle of Russian Symbolists - met Balmont, Vyacheslav Ivanov, Bryusov, White, Blok. Voloshin has to itself immediately in a couple of days he had been approached only as "Max" in Moscow began even a kind of fashion to Voloshin. Funny, well-read, rolling in paradoxes surrounding the shocking one in their appearance (whether Paris or Moscow, he was walking not otherwise in velvet pants to his knees, cape and top hat), Maximilian was positively tuned to all and to all, and his favorite phrase was "It's very exciting." In the debate, according to Andrew White, Voloshin was a "rounder sharp corners." Having lived alternately in Moscow and then in Paris, Voloshin has written articles on art and literature in Russian and French periodicals. These were the years of spiritual quest (Buddhism, Catholicism, magic, Freemasonry, anthroposophy), and feelings of love. In 1903, Maximilian met his first wife, Margarita Vasilevnoj Sabashnikova , in 1906 they were married, but the marriage was not successful.

In 1907, Voloshin, leaving his wife in St. Petersburg, home of the poet Vyacheslav Ivanov, left to Koktebel. That's when he re-discovered this friend from childhood edge, began to really join him. Surviving the break, the poet found solace in a strict beauty of Koktebel, where « all fine and just as Aeschylus tragedy ». Then was born the cycle of poems "Cimmerian twilight," one of the best Voloshin. "Cimmeria" he called the whole eastern Crimea - from Sudak to the Kerch Strait (named after the ancient people of this area - the Cimmerians). In Homer's "Odyssey" contains a description of the clouds and mist shrouded kimmerijtsev country where the sun does not look its rays, but the impenetrable night is spread over pathetic mortals. Voloshin saw this mysterious country Cimmerian night in Koktebel brown and treeless ridges and ravines. Landscape « antiquity » he called the land where all the soil « inseminated remains of past peoples » - shards, stones and coins. Cimmeria has become a true source of inspiration for the poet Voloshin, and a little later - and Voloshin for the artist.

around his house with his mother Koktebel gradually evolved unique in its own way a community of creative people. Year by year, this friendly house took more poets, artists, actors, singers and other artists, both famous and obscure. Max was able to encourage and warmed by the young and talented authors. Every summer house Voloshin suffered invasion "bonehead" (so called themselves his guests). Newcomers staged "initiation into the Order" - funny jokes with unreal names, love affairs, which ended in a dramatic departure of one of the characters to drown in the sea (for fun, of course). All the rules in this realm bonehead Elena Ottobaldovna, received after the next Voloshinskii draw the title "Phra" (from the first mother). Endless conversations, poetry reading, walks in the mountains, sketches, lunch at a long table on which Pra convened sound the horn. The women here are following the example of the mother Voloshin wore in bloomers and men - in the long linen shirt. Maximilian himself in the likeness of a tunic, sandals without socks and sagebrush wreath on his curly head acquired resemblance to Zeus. Normal summer residents were outraged by such liberties - but only "shock the middle class" has been a favorite pastime of Max.

in 1909 to stay with Voloshin came to Koktebel Elizabeth (Lily) Dmitriev. Young poetess, who wrote that summer « cute, simple poems », presented Maximilian found on the seashore bizarre snag is, like some good-natured imp. This trait was even a name - "Gabri" (as in the work "cacodemonomania witches" by Jean Bodin called demon that protects from evil spirits). Soon Lily offered their poems in the literary magazine "Apollo", but esthete editor SK Makovsky rejected poetry Dmitrieva not have an attractive appearance and also a child who suffered from lameness. And then Lily and Voloshin came up to send poems under the pseudonym "Charles De Gabriak "(under the" Ch "mean" hell "). It was the beginning of the biggest hoax in the history of Russian poetry of the twentieth century. Soon 'Ch De Gabriak "has become a poet, a Catholic noble blood" Cherubin de Gabriak ", from which the poems were delighted with all the poetic community, and many, including the editor of the" Apollo "Makovsky, fell in love and the author of these verses. When the hoax was exposed, appeared on the scene poet Nikolai Gumilev, once spurned lover and this Elizabeth Dmitrieva. For uncomplimentary remarks about the poet Voloshin called ENU to a duel, thankfully, ended without result for both duelists.

Meanwhile Koktebel Republic has continued to grow. In 1911, on a visit to Voloshin first came a young aspiring poet Marina Tsvetaeva. Collecting pebbles on the beach, she guessed, "the one who would give me a favorite carnelian, to be my husband." Desire Marina immediately performed Sergei Efron, with whom they were married in the winter. Later, a stay in Koktebel Tsvetaeva remembered as the happiest time of his life, and most of Max - as one of his closest friends. According to the artist L. Feinberg , in the summer of 1911-1913 Voloshin's gouache painted landscapes and only from nature. In accordance with what will draw Maximilian paper picking colors and paints. First applied circuit, then began working with gouache - « insulate all colors, while maintaining the necessary ratio of light and shade and tone gradation ». Drew on memories Feinberg, then not so much - in one summer, it was about seven sheets album. At the end of 1912 - beginning of 1913 to Voloshin's home was made annexe with tall windows on two floors - there is a workshop and a library. This annex soon began to compare with the nose-home craft, wooden terraces - with decks, rooms - with cabins, a deck on the roof - from the bridge.

crucial event in the life of Voloshin became a public lecture on the picture Ilya Repin «Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1581." Hanging in the Tretyakov Gallery web in January 1913 with the cry "Enough blood!" Riddled with knife painter Abram Balashov. And, while the artistic community mourned desecrated masterpiece, and he accused the members of the new Repin Art (alluding to the group of "Jack of Diamonds") in cahoots with the vandal, Voloshin had read in the Polytechnic Museum lecture "On the artistic value of the affected Repin." In it, he spoke about the excessive naturalism and « self-destructive forces », lurking in Repin's painting, on « impression stupid horror », which it produces in the viewer, and the inevitability of which eventually occurred. Repin, who was present at the lecture, do not know what to say Voloshin, and only repeated that « Balashov - the fool, the fool, and this, of course, it is easy to bribe », then left the lecture hall. Press the same sided « our pride » Repin, the meaning of the lectures and everything that happened in the subsequent newspaper reports had been distorted beyond recognition. Periodicals refused to publish Voloshin, bookstores boycott his books.

ostracism, which subjected him to a literary work, had, however, one positive result - Voloshin, ever diligent, engaged improving their artistic skills. He worked in tempera on cardboard, but with the outbreak of the First World War has already started to work exclusively in watercolor. 1,914 th and early war years, Voloshin held in Crimea, Dornach near Basel (in 1914 there were building the temple of anthroposophic Goetheanum, and Maximilian was involved in the manufacture of curtain for him), Paris and Biarritz. In wartime, when any artist making sketches from nature, could be suspected of espionage, watercolor technique was perfect for Voloshin way out. Watercolorist works mainly at a desk in the room, not on location. In addition, back in 1904, in one of his articles for the magazine "Balance" Voloshin said that works of art must first of all decorate our daily lives and that the large oil paintings that were relevant in the magnificent palaces of the Renaissance, cut eye in modern interiors, they are too heavy and cumbersome for the walls of modern buildings. So it seems logical that Voloshin eventually chose for himself a compact format watercolors.

Voloshin, remembering only the general features of the landscape and its general tone, he worked in the studio. His watercolors were displayed real views, it was « colorful musical compositions on the theme of the Cimmerian landscape ». However, the artist emanating these mountains and down, depicted the local landscape features with high accuracy. Once he even received an order for watercolors worked in the Crimea from a geological expedition. Scientists have found that the conditional landscapes Voloshin better talk about the geological structure of the region than the pictures. Voloshin was very proud of the order of geologists, believing that art and science should help each other.

Voloshin, in his memoirs, constantly struggling with the material, and defeated him. Poor quality watercolor paper, maloprokleennaya and quickly absorbs the paint, taught him to work right fit tone, without corrections, flushing and wiping. Paint during the war also had to save. Not a single superfluous smear, no delay - watercolor drawing must be distinct and easy « dance arm and hand on the canvas ». For example Voloshin was the classic Japanese painters: his workshop hanging prints Utagawa Hiroshige, Katsushika Hokusai, Utamaro Kitagawa. Another source of inspiration for the artist Voloshin was Feodosia Bogaevsky , one of the oldest and closest friends. Bogaevsky wrote romanticized sea and mountain views, many of them - under the influence of poetry Voloshin. By the way, illustrations graced Bogaevskogo Voloshinskii first collection of poems in 1910. Bogaevskogo, along with and Voloshin today considered the founder of the Cimmerian school of painting.

to his studies in watercolor Voloshin now treated very seriously, he devoted several hours a day in a single morning usually wrote them two or three. Often signed their lines and stanzas of his poems. At the same time, with his characteristic generosity, gave away their friends, often enclose them in letters, sometimes selling. Contemporaries, including artists, his work is highly appreciated. Father Pavel Florensky called watercolors Voloshin 'meta-geology. " According to writer Emily Mindlin, these works were distinguished by the same skill as his poems, "In these small pieces of land and sky keen poet and artist saw inexhaustible worlds!» Alexander Benois found in them "captivating ease" in combination with excellent knowledge of nature, fascinated by his own imagination Voloshin great Cimmeria. "Not so much in the history of painting dedicated only" real "artists find products that can cause thoughts and dreams, like those that excite the improvisation of" amateur "," - said Benoit.

The October Revolution found Voloshin in the Crimea. To flee the country, he was not going all the difficult years of the Civil War, he lived in Koktebel. Without taking sides in a draw, as a true humanist, Voloshin prayed « for these and for other ». And the thought rather not pray for the victims and for the executioners. When the waves of red and white in turn rolled over Crimea, in-house ship Voloshin found salvation « and red leader, and a white officer ». In his house, he hid those facing execution, wrote letters and pestered when his friends were arrested. One of the faithful execution of the former general, he saved Marx, professor and archaeologist, who was accused in the fact that he served as a red, from Koktebel to Ekaterinodara (Krasnodar) Voloshin went along with the prisoner in the freight cars, not giving to lynch, and only his personal written appeal Denikin to save Marx life. A feeling that Voloshin feared no one, though friends always brought to the house of the poet rumors of an impending massacre at him then with one or the other. And at this time he wrote such heartfelt poems about war, they were read and red, and white.

After the war, life has changed Koktebel republic. In 1923, she died Pra, Elena Ottobaldovna. The reins of the house took over Zabolotskaya Mary, his second wife and companion of the last Voloshin. In 1923, Maximilian turned his house with all the extensions in a free house of creativity, the flow of visitors has reached unprecedented magnitude, and in 1928 passed through the house Voloshin 600 people ... He himself wrote poems are fewer, but more drawing. His watercolors were exhibited in group exhibitions of the "World of Art" (from 1916), "Fire-color" Art Society them. K. Kostandi. In 1927, there were two personal exhibitions in Moscow and Leningrad. Voloshinskii watercolors acquired his collection of the Tretyakov Gallery. Maximilian Voloshin died of a stroke in 1932, and bequeathed to bury him on the mountain to the left of the village. As written by Anastasia, "according to one side their profile, on the other - his tomb, Max hugged your favorite Koktebel».

Voloshin Solitude, space and silence. 1927 Watercolour. 18 x 35 Sovcom. 21.04.2007. Lot 148 Estimate: 100-130 thousand rubles Result: 270,000 rubles Source: artinvestment.ru

Voloshin Koktebel. Landscape. 1927 Watercolour. 16 x 24 Sovcom. 27.10.2007. Lot 163 Estimate: 250-350 thousand rubles Result: 240,000 rubles Source: artinvestment.ru

The database ARTinvestment.RU recorded 62 auction deals with the works of Maximilian Voloshin - hardly a lot when you consider that, according to the testimony of the artist and visitors to his home, he painted several watercolors of the day.

Schedule index ARTIMX Graphics artist shows surge in buying activity and rising prices for works Voloshin from April 2007 to May 2009. To this period belong the best results of the auction of the artist: April 2007 watercolor "Privacy, space and silence" in 1927 was sold to "Sovkome" for 270 thousand (10.5 thousand dollars) in October of that of 2007, again to "Sovkome" for 240,000 rubles (9,700 dollars) went watercolor "Koktebel. Landscape "(1927), and for 220 thousand (8.9 thousand dollars) was sold to the work of" Silver Landscape "(1928).

Voloshin Silver landscape. 1928 Watercolour. 16 x 24 Sovcom. 27.10.2007. Lot 164 Estimate: 250-350 thousand rubles Result: 220,000 rubles Source: artinvestment.ru

can expect that the graphics market Voloshin will be successfully developed. This is supported by decorative, compact it works, their affordability (prices range from several hundred to several thousand dollars), and the prospect of increasing the total amount of work and the emergence of better things.

Maria Onuchina, AI

Sources:

1. M. Voloshin . The traveler in the universe. Moscow: Soviet Russia, 1990.
2. B. Kupchenko, ZD David . Memoirs of Maximilian Voloshin. Moscow: Soviet Writer, 1990.
3. magazines.russ.ru .
4. utoronto.ca .
5. maxvoloshin.ru .