October 30, 2021

The Best Dostoyevsky Artwork at the Russian Museum


The Best Dostoyevsky Artwork at the Russian Museum
Exhibit poster and model of Dostoyevsky's first Petersburg home, St. Michael's Castle.

In honor of the upcoming 200th anniversary of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's birthday (November 11, 2021), the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg has an exhibit on for one month only – from October 14 to November 15. The exhibit is called "Dostoyevsky in Fine Art from the Collection of the Russian Museum." If you can't make it to St. Petersburg yourself by November 15, here's an overview.

First, the exhibit is staged at a very important place in the Petersburg life of Dostoyevsky: St. Michael's (Mikhailovsky or Engineer's) Castle. It is a branch of the Russian Museum but just happens to be Dostoyevsky's first residence in St. Petersburg when he arrived as a 15-year-old military cadet. It was a creepy place to live and felt haunted by the ghost of Paul I, who was murdered in its halls prior to Dostoyevsky's arrival.

Reflection of St. Michael's Castle
Reflection of St. Michael's Castle in the moat Paul I built around it to protect himself from assassination; it does not work when the plotters live among you

Five pieces of artwork on display can be seen on the museum's advertisement for the exhibit.

The showing includes some of the Russian Museum's best pencil sketches, paintings, and marble, bronze, and wood sculptures of Dostoyevsky himself. But the majority of the artwork was inspired by his writing, used as cover art for his books, or used to imagine how the stage might look when various of his novels were turned into plays.

Dostoyevsky's shadow
Shadow of bronze statue F.M. Dostoyevsky, Leonid Mikhailovich Baranov, 1986. 

Two different artists, Alexandra Nikolaevna Korsakova (Rudovich; 1950s-1960s) and Fyodor Denisovich Konstantinov (1945), envisioned Rodion Raskolnikov as having very wide eyes with the whites showing in the extreme.

In 1981, Leonid Izrailovich Lamm perceived Dostoyevsky's The House of the Dead in a series of lithographs as being overwhelmed by Orthodox religiosity. Of course, it was Soviet times.

Also on display is a series of paintings that shows modern-day Pitertsy what Haymarket Square really looked like in the nineteenth century. It was flooded with people, horses, carriages, and a truly gigantic church that no longer exists.

Dostoyevsky's dark mode comes across well in the gathered artwork inspired by the novelist and is sure to leave visitors to St. Michael's spooky castle both depressed and inspired.

One part of a wood triptych inspired by Dostoyevsky, Mikhail Alexeevich Makhov, 1971. 

 

You Might Also Like

All a-Twitter
  • November 01, 2013

All a-Twitter

In our Trends section, editor Maria Antonova looks at Twitter accounts by dead writers, sex ed through literature, and poll results at psychiatric facilities in Moscow...
Russia's Greatest Crime Novel
  • April 02, 2017

Russia's Greatest Crime Novel

When you set out to write a murder mystery in Russian – or even in another language, but set in Russia – you should be mindful that you are following in the footsteps the greatest Russian crime fiction writer of all times, Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Dostoyevsky's Birthday in 10 Dark Quotes
  • October 30, 2019

Dostoyevsky's Birthday in 10 Dark Quotes

In honor of the writer's 198th birthday, here are 10 quotes to celebrate the life and writings of Fyodor Dostoyevsky. They may not be cheerful, but they sure are profound.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955