Artist Vasily Igorevich Nesterenko, painter, People's Artist of the Russian Federation, full member of the Russian Academy of Arts. Born in Pavlograd in Ukraine in 1967. After training in the workshop of People's Artist of Russia N.S. Prisekin in 1980 entered the Moscow Secondary Art School at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute. V.I. Surikov to the painting department, from which he graduated in June 1985 with a gold medal. After serving from 1985 to 1987 in the SA, he studied from 1987 to 1994 at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute. V.I. Surikov, workshop of People's Artist of the USSR Academician T.T. Salakhova.

Marriage in Cana of Galilee. Patriarchal refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 2001

Vasily Nesterenko made a great contribution to the reconstruction of the artistic decoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. His brushes include the monumental paintings “The Resurrection of Christ”, “St. Apostle and Evangelist Matthew”, “The Baptism of the Lord”, “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem”, a cycle of Theotokos icons, five paintings on Gospel subjects for the Patriarchal Refectory and a shroud. The artist’s works can also be seen in the museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Under his leadership and with his personal participation, new paintings were created in the Assumption Cathedral in Dmitrov and the iconostasis in the Church of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus' in Tsaritsyno. The works of Vasily Igorevich Nesterenko are in large museum collections in Russia and abroad.

Vasily Nesterenko is the author of a number of personal exhibitions, including exhibitions at the Russian Academy of Arts, the Kremlin, the New Manege State Exhibition Hall, the Museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, as well as numerous exhibitions in Europe and the USA.

View of the Kremlin from Old Square, 1998

Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 2002

Last Supper. Patriarchal refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 1998

Miraculous multiplication of loaves. Patriarchal refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 2001

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Icon of the Theotokos cycle of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 2002.

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the temple. Icon of the Theotokos cycle of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 2002.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.Icon of the Theotokos cycle of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, 2002

Christmas, 2004

Easter, 2003

Trinity, 2004

Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, 1996

Portrait of Patriarch Alexy II, 2000

Image of the Holy Trinity. Painting of the Assumption Cathedral in Dmitrov, 2002

Autumn bouquet, 1998

Memories of Holland, 1998

Spring on Mount Athos, 1996

Autumn in Pechory, 1996

Balaam

Winter in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, 1995

Hare tracks, 2003

Spring color, 2002

Sakura branch, 2005

Golden cover, 2005

First snow, 2006

Magic dream, 2005

Sea, 2004

Night luminary, 2006

Dreams of the Navy, 1995

Triumph of the Russian fleet, 1994

Moscow meets the heroes of Poltava, 1997

Triumph of Catherine, 2007

Let's defend Sevastopol, 2005

Russian Madonna, 2005

Girl's Dreams, 2003

Portrait of a mother, 2004

"Service List":

1988 — participation in the All-Union exhibition “Youth of Russia” in the Central Exhibition Hall “Manege”, Moscow

1989 : - All-Russian exhibition of young artists in the Central House of Artists, Moscow

1990 : - personal exhibition of graphic works in the Exhibition Hall of the Moscow State Academy of Arts named after. V. I. Surikova, Moscow
1991 — personal exhibition at the Happy World Incorporation Gallery in Tokyo, dedicated to M. S. Gorbachev’s visit to Japan
— All-Russian portrait exhibition in the Moscow Union of Artists Gallery on Kuznetsky Most, Moscow
1991 — 1992 - diploma internship through the Ministry of Culture of the USSR at the PRATT Art Institute in New York under the guidance of professors Ross Near, Phoebe Helman, Frank Lindt
— personal exhibition at the City Bank Gallery in New York
1992 : - personal exhibition at the Ambassador Gallery in SOHO, New York
— accepted as a member of the American League of Professional Artists (ALPA)
— personal exhibition at the Ambassador Gallery with the publication of a catalog of paintings, New York
1994 - Member of the International Federation of Artists UNESCO and the International Art Fund
— Presentation of the painting “Triumph of the Russian Fleet” and personal exhibition at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces, Moscow
1995 : — beginning of work on sketches of paintings in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
- Member of the Moscow Union of Artists
— awarded a Diploma of the Russian Academy of Arts
1996 : - personal exhibition in the halls of the Russian Academy of Arts with the publication of the album “Vasily Nesterenko. Painting, graphics”, Moscow

— personal exhibition at the Government House of the Russian Federation, Moscow
— exhibiting the painting “Triumph of the Russian Fleet” at the Palace of Congresses in the Kremlin as part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Fleet
— personal exhibition at the Mercer Gallery, New York
1997 : - personal exhibition at the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, Kremlin, Moscow
— personal exhibition at the Barvikha gallery
1998 : - acquisition by the Moscow Government of the painting “The Last Supper”, and donation of it to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior for placement in the Patriarchal Refectory
1999 : — awarding the honorary title “Honored Artist of the Russian Federation”
— work on the paintings of the Cathedral Church in the name of Christ the Savior in Moscow. “Resurrection of Christ”, “Apostle Matthew” (northwestern pylon of the temple); “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem” (western tympanum of the temple); “Baptism of the Lord” (northern tympanum of the temple)
- at the invitation of the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate, he led a team of artists who worked on the creation of the interior decoration of the Throne Hall of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, built for ceremonial events dedicated to the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ
2000 : by decision of the Moscow Government, the State Cultural Institution “Moscow State Art Gallery of Vasily Nesterenko” was created
— with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Rus', work on a series of paintings on Gospel subjects for the Patriarchal Refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow
— personal exhibition at the Ostashkov City Museum as part of the Irina Arkhipova Music Festival on Seliger
— led a team of artists who worked on the creation of artistic decoration of the Anteroom of the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, was the author of ten murals
- award with the Order of Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree, for work on the paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
— personal exhibition “Autumn Landscape” at the cultural center UPDC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Moscow
2000 — 2001 — work on four canvases: “Marriage in Cana of Galilee”, “Miraculous Multiplication of the Loaves”, “Christ and the Samaritan Woman”, “Miraculous Catch” for the Patriarchal Refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow
2001 : exhibition “The Path to the Temple”, Museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
— elected corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Arts
— personal exhibition at the Russian Cultural Foundation
— election as Chairman of the Board of the “CREATIVITY” Charitable Foundation
2002 : — work on the cycle of the Mother of God icons and the Shroud for the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
— personal exhibition at the Museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of his birth, and presentation of paintings from the Gospel cycle at the Patriarchal Refectory
- at the invitation of the Head of the Administration of the Dmitrovsky District of the Moscow Region, he led the creative team that worked on the creation of a new picturesque decoration of the Assumption Cathedral in Dmitrov - a cultural monument of federal significance. Work on the paintings “Image of the Holy Trinity”, “Last Supper”, “Prayer for the Cup”, “Calvary” in the Dmitrov Dormition Cathedral
- with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexei II, a team of artists and icon painters was invited to create the picturesque decoration of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, built in honor of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus' in Tsaritsyno, Moscow
- personal exhibition at the Famagusta Gates Exhibition Hall, Nicosia, Cyprus
— personal exhibition at the Museum of Books and Printing in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra
2003 :— at the invitation of the Vice-Mayor of Moscow V.P. Shantsev, he led a team of artists and restorers working to recreate the artistic decoration of the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the village of Domnino, Susaninsky district, Kostroma region, the family estate of the Romanovs
— personal exhibition at the State Orenburg Art Museum
2004 : - personal exhibition at the State Exhibition Hall “Manege”, Moscow
- personal exhibition at the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1955. on Poklonnaya Hill
— personal exhibition at the Oryol State Museum of Fine Arts
— awarding the honorary title “People’s Artist of the Russian Federation”
— personal exhibition in the Museum complex of the city of Dmitrov
— elected as a member of the Expert Commission for awarding State Prizes in the field of literature and art in the Central Federal District
— personal exhibition in the art gallery of the Vologda Kremlin Museum-Reserve
— personal exhibition at the Central House of Artists, Moscow
2005 : - personal exhibition in the Lipetsk regional exhibition hall
- personal exhibition at the Sevastopol Art Museum named after M.P. Kroshitsky
2006 :— personal exhibition at the Moscow State Exhibition Hall “New Manege”
— personal exhibition at the Ryazan Art Museum
— personal exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia

— personal exhibition at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus
2007 :— personal exhibition at the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore
— personal exhibition at the Government House of the Russian Federation
— personal exhibition at the Bryansk Regional Art Museum and Exhibition Center
— elected Full Member of the Russian Academy of Arts
2008 : -exhibition at the Regional Art Gallery “Obraz”, Kaluga
— personal exhibition at the Belgorod State Art Museum
— personal exhibition at the Tyumen Regional Museum of Fine Arts
— personal exhibition at the Ukrainian House, Kyiv
— personal exhibition at the Moscow State Historical-Architectural, Art and Landscape Museum-Reserve “Tsaritsyno”
2009 : — personal exhibition at the Federal State Institution “House of Cosmonauts”
— personal exhibition at the Yaroslavl Art Museum
— personal exhibition at the DPRK Embassy
— personal exhibition at the Russian Academy of Arts
— personal exhibition at the Academy of the FSB of the Russian Federation
— personal exhibition at the Central Museum of the Border Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation
— personal exhibition at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall
2010 : - personal exhibition at the Chuvash National Art Museum Cheboksary
— personal exhibition in the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
— personal exhibition at MSTU. N. E. Bauman
— personal exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Academy of the FSB of the Russian Federation
2011 : - personal exhibition at the Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
— personal exhibition at the museum and exhibition center “Worker and Collective Farm Woman”

1967 - born in Pavlograd; 1980-1985 - studied at the Moscow Secondary Art School (MSHS), graduated with a gold medal; 1985-1994 - studied at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after. V. I. Surikova (MGAHI) at the faculty of easel painting. He studied under the guidance of People's Artist of Russia N. S. Prisekin, A. V. Dronov, professors N. P. Khristolubov, E. N. Troshev, L. V. Shepelev, S. N. Shilnikov, T. T. Salakhov; 1985, December - 1987, October - service in the ranks of the SA; 1988, autumn - “Youth of Russia”, ...

1967 - born in Pavlograd;

1980-1985 - studied at the Moscow Secondary Art School (MSHS), graduated with a gold medal;

1985-1994 - studied at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after. V. I. Surikova (MGAHI) at the faculty of easel painting. He studied under the guidance of People's Artist of Russia N. S. Prisekin, A. V. Dronov, professors N. P. Khristolubov, E. N. Troshev, L. V. Shepelev, S. N. Shilnikov, T. T. Salakhov;

1988, autumn - “Youth of Russia”, All-Union exhibition in the Central Exhibition Hall in Manege, Moscow;
1989, spring - All-Russian exhibition of young artists in the Central House of Artists, Moscow (CHA);
1989, autumn - All-Union autumn exhibition in Manege, Moscow;
1989, November - Group exhibition of young artists at the Bulgarian Cultural Center, Moscow;
1990, spring - Exhibition of academic drawings at the National Academy of Arts in Prague, Czechoslovakia;
1990, April - Personal exhibition of graphic works in the Exhibition Hall of the Moscow State Academy of Arts named after. V. I. Surikova, Moscow;
1990, May - Group exhibition of students of art universities in Moscow in the Central House of Artists;
1990, May - Purchase of the painting “Chernobyl” by the Kyiv Art Museum;
1991, April-May - Personal exhibition at the Happy World Incorporation Gallery in Tokyo, dedicated to M. S. Gorbachev’s visit to Japan;
1991, June - All-Russian portrait exhibition in the Moscow Union of Artists Gallery on Kuznetsky Most, Moscow;
1991, September - 1992, June - graduate internship through the USSR Ministry of Culture at the PRATT Art Institute in New York under the guidance of professors Ross Near, Phoebe Helman, Frank Lindt;
1991, November - Personal exhibition at the City Bank Gallery in New York;
1992, March - Personal exhibition at the Ambassador Gallery in SOHO, New York;

1992, May - awarded an Honorary Prize at the 64th National Exhibition of ALPH;
1992, autumn - Exhibition “New York Expo” at the Javits Center, New York;

1993, spring - Group exhibition at the Nassau County Museum, Long Island, New York;

1994, spring - member of the International Federation of Artists UNESCO and the International Art Fund;

1994, May - Defense of the thesis “Triumph of the Russian Fleet” at MGAHI named after. V. I. Surikova;
1994, July - Presentation of the painting “Triumph of the Russian Fleet” and personal exhibition at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces, Moscow;

1994, autumn - Personal and group exhibitions at the Simic Gallery Complex, California;

1994, December - exhibition of diploma works of graduates of 1992-1994. State Academic Art Institutes named after. V.I. Surikov (Moscow) and them. I. E. Repin (St. Petersburg) in the exhibition halls of the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow;

1995, spring - member of the Moscow Union of Artists;

1995, spring - All-Russian youth exhibition in the Gallery on Kuznetsky Most, Moscow;

1995, May - Exhibition “Images of the Cossacks in Contemporary Art” in the gallery of MGAHI named after. V. I. Surikova, Moscow;

1995, autumn - Awarded a Diploma of the Russian Academy of Arts;

1996, May - Exhibition of paintings at the Russian Academy of Arts, submitted for a competition to recreate the paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow;

1996, June-July - Personal exhibition in the halls of the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow; 1996, August - personal exhibition in the Government House of the Russian Federation, Moscow;

1996, December - All-Russian exhibition “20 centuries of Christianity” in the Central House of Artists, Moscow;

1997, September - exhibition of preliminary designs for paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior at the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow;

1997, October - the Moscow Government donated the painting “The Last Supper” to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and placed it in the Patriarchal refectory of the temple;

1999, April - May - personal exhibition at the State Exhibition Hall “New Manege”, Moscow;
1999, May - award of the honorary title “Honored Artist of the Russian Federation”;

1999, April 15 - November 25 - work on the paintings of the Cathedral Church in the name of Christ the Savior in Moscow. “Resurrection of Christ”, “Apostle Matthew” (northwestern pylon of the temple); “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem” (western tympanum of the temple); “Baptism of the Lord” (northern tympanum of the temple);

1999, December - 2000, January - led the creative team that worked on the creation of the picturesque decoration of the Throne Hall of the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem;

2000, February - May - work on sketches for the refectory halls of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow;

2000, July - personal exhibition as part of a music festival under the patronage of Irina Arkhipova, Ostashkov;

2000, July - August - headed the creative team that created the picturesque and ornamental decoration of the Antechamber of the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow;

2000, August - awarded the Order of Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree, for his work on the paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior;

2000, November - presentation of a portrait of Irina Arkhipova in the Vrubel Hall of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow;
2000 - 2001 - work on four canvases: “Marriage in Cana of Galilee”, “Miraculous Multiplication of the Loaves”, “Christ and the Samaritan Woman”, “Miraculous Catch” for the Patriarchal Refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow;

An exhibition of the famous artist opens in the Manege Central Exhibition Hall

He is one of those on whom the Russian land rests, one of the participants in the press conference, Alexander Rozhkin, academician, member of the presidium of the Russian Academy of Arts, editor-in-chief of the Tretyakov Gallery magazine, said about Vasily Nesterenko. And at the very beginning of his short speech, rather an introduction to the exhibition, he called the artist a devotee of Russian culture.

In the presence of representatives of many media outlets, in fact, to the whole of Russia, such things are not simply said. And it was these words that came to mind when, after the press conference, I left the ITAR-TASS building at the beginning of Tverskoy Boulevard. From here it was a stone's throw to the Manege, where Vasily Nesterenko is preparing to show his paintings. A little over a kilometer, about 20 minutes on foot, slowly, along Bolshaya Nikitskaya. On this street, by the way, 100 years ago, in building No. 5, in December 1916 - March 1917, the 45th anniversary exhibition of the Association of Traveling Exhibitions was held. The Union of Russian Artists, the World of Art, and the Moscow Association of Artists also exhibited in Moscow at that time.

In general, the first two months of the revolutionary year 1917 for masters of fine art coincided with the zenith of the exhibition season. “There is such an abundance of exhibitions in Moscow,” the reviewer noted, “as if Russian artists were forced to paint instead of military service... Eleven in total. It seems like a lot of events for a year.” At the same time, one of the leaders of the Art Theater Vl. Nemirovich-Danchenko quite rightly asked the question: “Is society currently really interested in new achievements in art? Could it be interested in this now? Does he have a sufficient reserve of attention for this? And the artist Apollinary Vasnetsov wrote: “The modern direction of art, its alienation from life, naturally, cannot in any way react to the exciting events of recent times: it passes without a trace for it.”

A hundred years later, these problems - is today's society really interested in art, is art alienated from life in Russia - are not so acute, although they have not disappeared anywhere. At the press conference, a question was asked about Vasily Nesterenko’s attitude to the fact that artists are still divided into “white” and “red” (realists and avant-garde artists).

And the artist replied that in art confrontation is inevitable, but “there is no need to strangle either one or the other, then there will be a wide palette.” And as an example he named Zurab Tsereteli, who “reconciled everyone.”

Nesterenko said that at one time he also studied with Tair Salakhov (People’s Artist of the USSR), a kind of Soviet “almost avant-garde artist.” And he emphasized: our main task is to overcome the split in society, otherwise we can slide into turmoil. He also said that the state could lose art education.

Surprisingly, today the artist has identified almost the same problems that troubled Russia a century ago. “At the present time,” wrote critic A. Rostislavov in 1917, “one can hardly talk about a specific banner of this or that advanced artistic society. Fragmentation into separate societies and circles is indeed a very noticeable phenomenon in our country in the last decade. Apparently, the time for salons is ripe for us too.” This idea of ​​exhibitions similar to the Paris Salons, where artists representing all movements of modern art would gather under one roof, was expressed everywhere. In Moscow, on Easter 1917, the opening of the “Spring Salon” exhibition was planned, at which the participation of all art societies was expected and the hope was expressed that “such an exhibition would be able to vividly and most typically (32) present all existing movements of modern art.”

In the organization of such exhibitions, contemporaries saw an opportunity to put an end to the transformation of exhibitions “into a sales market”; they hoped that they would be able to move “Russian art forward” and, being the highest court for artists, would help them improve. And this, too, was one of the features of the artistic life of the beginning of 1917. And today, just look at those grandiose queues that line up at the country’s art galleries, and many questions that are reaching out to us from the past will disappear by themselves...

People's Artist of Russia, full member of the Russian Academy of Arts Vasily Nesterenko, this is already the third personal exhibition in the Big Manege.

In the entire history of this main exhibition hall of the country, only a few artists have been awarded such a high honor. And not everyone, frankly speaking, is capable of such titanic work as organizing a personal exhibition on an area of ​​10 thousand square meters. m, where, according to Vladislav Kononov, executive director of the Russian Military Historical Society and one of the organizers of the exhibition, 1000 works by Vasily Nesterenko are being prepared for display. To which the artist responded: “Not counting the small ones.” And he said that life-size reproductions of paintings from Mount Athos and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior will also be presented.

In general, the artist’s track record includes so many personal exhibitions that it is almost impossible to even list them all. However, among them there are some that cannot be forgotten. These are exhibitions held at the Russian Academy of Arts, in the Kremlin, in the Government House of the Russian Federation, in the Museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, in the Museum of Books and Printing in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, in the Ukrainian House (Kyiv), in many cities of Russia and abroad, including in Prague, Berlin, Beijing, Tokyo, New York... The closer you get acquainted with Nesterenko’s work, the more amazing the scale of his activity is. He can simultaneously conduct several large projects, and almost annually holds several personal exhibitions in the country. Moreover, for the artist the concept of “Russia” also includes Ukraine and Belarus, which he spoke about more than once.

The previous exhibition in the Manege Central Exhibition Hall took place in the summer of 2010 and was called “Russia - a connection of times.” The current exhibition of Vasily Nesterenko is called “Our glory is the Russian state!” Consonant and symbolic!

The exhibition is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the artist and, strange as it may seem, to the 35th anniversary of his creative activity. I asked the master about this oddity.

“I drew portraits on envelopes at school. There was such a job. The first time I participated in the exhibition was in the 7th grade. In general, you need to set maximum goals for yourself. If you don’t try, nothing will happen,” he said.

Vasily Nesterenko writes in the realistic manner of Russian classical painting and works in various genres. The basis of the new exhibition is historical works reflecting turning points in Russian history: “Deliverance from the Time of Troubles” (a fragment of the picture is in the photo) , “Death of the Invasion”, “Moscow meets the heroes of Poltava”, “We will defend Sevastopol!”, “Triumph of the Russian Fleet”, “We are Russians, God is with us!” and others.

“For me, history is not just events. This is a reason to speak in the language of history about the present,” said Vasily Nesterenko. - “Getting rid of turmoil” is an important topic. The Time of Troubles is always relevant for Russia... 1612. The people repent, and the whole course of history has changed. Archbishop Arseny said recently that “our Fatherland is now on the scales of God’s justice.”

The artist worked for four years to create this grandiose canvas.

When the artist is asked about historical parallels, he explains his position as follows: ““We will defend Sevastopol” for me means - we will defend the Kuril Islands, Kaliningrad, Crimea, we will defend Moscow, ultimately. The historical theme, in my understanding, is a bridge to the present and the future.”

Let us add that historical painting requires detailed knowledge of the era depicted, even the weather conditions. For example, the fact that on the day of Peter I’s victorious entry into Moscow, it was snowing, as shown in Nesterenko’s canvas.

By the way, on the day of the press conference the air was frosty, fresh and transparent, as happens in Moscow at the turn of January-February. And when I went outside, the sun was already setting, but it was still shining in the golden domes of the Temple of the Great Ascension, flooding the upper floors of the houses on Nikitsky Boulevard with bright light, and slanting rays touching the roofs of the ancient buildings of Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street. And above all this splendor hung a new moon filled with silver light. Believe it or not, the phases of the moon today almost coincide with those observed in 1917. And in Moscow today there are also many exhibitions open, both good and different. “But his (Nesterenko’s) paintings have spiritual magnetism,” noted Alexander Rozhkin. And Vladislav Kononov emphasized: “How much you need to know in order not to end up on trial by professional historians. But they have no complaints against the artist. Vasily Nesterenko’s paintings are a weapon in the fight against falsifications of history. Nesterenko’s mission is to bring historical truth.”

“For me, the First World War is the pinnacle of the Russian spirit,” said Vasily Nesterenko. The painting “We are Russians, God is with us!” and is dedicated to the First World War, or more precisely, to one of its heroic episodes. The Germans could not take the weakly defended Osovets fortress for a long time and decided to release gases on the Russian troops. When a thick cloud of a poisonous mixture of chlorine and phosgene, driven by a tailwind, approached the Russian positions, even the grass withered, and our soldiers and officers did not have gas masks. The Germans took clubs studded with nails and moved to “clear the territory” - to finish off the surviving soldiers. But the poisoned Russians, doomed to death, rose to hand-to-hand combat. “Attack of the Dead” - this impulse of several hundred warriors was later called.

Russian newspapers of that time asked: “What does “enlightened” Europe bring us? Poisonous gases and clubs for finishing off Russian soldiers. Cultured barbarians! Europe's attitude towards Russia has not changed since then. And the questions to “civilized” countries remain the same.

And the series of works “Oh, Russian Land!” is a true anthem of Central Russia with its poetic nature, temples and monasteries. “He is devoted to the Fatherland,” Alexander Rozhkin emphasized during the press conference. - His art fosters an attitude towards one’s roots. In his work, Russia appears as a Phoenix bird. This is about caring for future generations."

“They ask,” says the artist, “why don’t you paint the volcanoes of Indonesia? Let others draw them, and I will draw our mountains, our rivers. And when I find myself in an icy river in Altai, I know why I’m doing it, but in Indonesia I don’t know.” A series of landscape paintings was the result of the master’s creative trips to Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, the Sayan Mountains and Lake Baikal. Works dedicated to the nature of the Urals, Siberia and the Far East are combined into a cycle called “On the Far Frontiers”.

Vasily Nesterenko’s real creative success was his participation in recreating the paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. For this purpose, a team of almost three hundred artists was created to complete the work in the shortest possible time. The most difficult task required not only the highest professional skill, but also the ability to paint in the manner of the greatest painters of the 19th century.

Vasily worked fourteen hours every day. As befits an icon painter, he fasted and prayed before starting work, and then climbed the scaffolding and painted the temple, doing it without any drawings or grids, directly. It was he who painted the paintings “The Resurrection of Christ”, “Apostle Matthew”, “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem”, “The Baptism of the Lord” for the Cathedral, and painted the cycle of Theotokos icons and the Shroud, “The Last Supper” and paintings of the Gospel cycle for the Patriarchal refectory. “The temple has been restored the way Russia deserves it now,” said Vasily Nesterenko.

Before starting painting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the artist completed work on the icon “Image of the Mother of God Unexpected Joy” and on the painting “The Crucifixion”.

And there was also Athos in his life, where for almost a year he led a group of artists who, with the blessing of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill and the elders of the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery, painted the temple of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in Old Rusik.

It's almost 3500 sq. m! During the press conference, Vasily Nesterenko remarked: “They say Athos is heaven on earth, but heaven on earth is difficult.”

Female images play a significant role in the artist’s work. The female portraits he created, as he says, always highlight the advantages of their models. Let’s say the painting “Alena” depicts a girl with a huge bouquet of daisies. The heroine of the painting “Indian Summer”, a girl from the Russian outback, stands in a thin dress and rubber boots near a fence overgrown with weeds... The portraits “Girl Dreams” and “Premonition of Love”, imbued with subtle lyricism, are also dedicated to the theme of female expectation.

But, I think, the painting “Russian Madonna” makes the strongest impression in this series. Until recently, I did not know that it depicts the artist’s wife Olga and son Vanya. And in the painting “Spring” there is also Olga...

A portrait of his mother, Galina Vasilievna, occupies a very special place in the artist’s work. It was his mother who helped Vasily become an artist. From her comes the love for the native Fatherland.

According to experts, the most succinct image of the Motherland is reflected in the epic painting by Vasily Nesterov “Oh, Russian Land!” The line is taken from “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” (Oh, Russian land! You are already over the hill!) In this brilliant poem of antiquity, the Russian land is perceived as something unified, as the property of a people coming from one root, despite strife, strife and troubled times...

But, as Vasily Nesterenko said, “the works must be watched.” And throughout the press conference, a fragment of the painting “Deliverance from the Troubles” was shown on the wall of the spacious room in front of the journalists’ eyes. And in response to the question whether he likes to give interviews, the master said: “Telling is not my profession. It’s not my face that should be known, but my work.”

Many of the master’s paintings will be exhibited for the first time. And not for the sake of a compliment, Alexander Rozhkin noted: “This is not just an exhibition, this is a phenomenon in the cultural life of Russia.”

Let's listen to competent opinion. And let us remind you that Vasily Nesterenko’s personal exhibition “Our Glory is the Russian State!” will be held in the Manege Central Exhibition Hall from February 10 to March 3, 2017. And the opening will take place tomorrow, February 9.

Especially for "Century"

The article was published within the framework of the socially significant project “Russia and the Revolution. 1917 – 2017” using state support funds allocated as a grant in accordance with the order of the President of the Russian Federation dated December 8, 2016 No. 96/68-3 and on the basis of a competition held by the All-Russian public organization “Russian Union of Rectors”.

The turn of the XX-XXI centuries is a complex historical era that brings to life new artistic movements, directions, and values. The work of the Moscow painter Vasily Nesterenko is inseparable from its time. He is one of those masters who introduces Russian art into the new century.

Excellent academic preparation, deep sensitivity to modernity, and rare diligence helped Nesterenko rapidly enter the artistic life of the country. He quickly achieves independence, maturity of style, and receives wide recognition. Possessing a significant creative range, he paints portraits, landscapes, large historical canvases, and religious compositions.

Artistic understanding of the changes in the spiritual life of society and profound changes in the worldview are embodied in a series of paintings dedicated to trips to holy places, in the painting of icons, in the creation of portraits of Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II, Patriarch of Jerusalem Diodorus and other clergy.

The main theme of his historical paintings is the affirmation of the individual, his active creative beginning. In his art, Nesterenko often refers to the era of reforms of Peter I, introducing various historical subjects into his paintings: “Triumph of the Russian Fleet”, “Moscow meets the heroes of Poltava”.

The basis of Nesterenko’s artistic method as a portrait painter is a deep study of nature, the nature of human beings. His portraits are remarkable for their sharpness in conveying character. With special warmth, the artist reveals the spiritual value of the models. In portraits of women, he is a subtle lyricist, creating bright and harmonious images.

Landscape is of great importance in his work. The image of nature is heard in the ensemble of historical paintings, in portraiture and is fully revealed in the artist’s landscape works. He travels a lot around Russia, and does not part with his sketchbook on trips to Europe and America.

Vasily Nesterenko’s real creative success was his participation in recreating the picturesque decoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. This most complex work required not only the highest professional skill, but also the ability to work in the manner of the greatest painters of the 19th century.

The multi-figure gospel scenes performed by Nesterenko: “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem”, “The Resurrection of Christ”, “The Apostle Matthew”, “The Baptism of the Lord” are located in the most important, central part of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

A special place in the artist’s work is occupied by his work in the Patriarchal Refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. With the blessing of the Patriarch, the artist performs five Gospel scenes: “The Last Supper”, “Marriage in Cana of Galilee”, “The Miraculous Multiplication of the Loaves”, “The Miraculous Catch”, “Christ and the Samaritan Woman”.

The work of the Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Arts Vasily Igorevich Nesterenko invariably attracts the attention of numerous viewers. His works can be seen in museums and at major domestic and foreign exhibitions. He works a lot, is full of new creative ideas, and has new canvases in his studio.

1967 - born in Pavlograd

1980-1985 - studied at the Moscow Secondary Art School (MSHS), graduated with a gold medal

1985-1994 - studied at the Moscow State Academic Art Institute named after. V. I. Surikova (MGAHI) at the faculty of easel painting. Studied under the guidance of People's Artist of Russia N. S. Prisekin, A. V. Dronov, professors N. P. Khristolubov, E. N. Troshev, L. V. Shepelev, S. N. Shilnikov, T. T. Salakhov

1988, autumn - “Youth of Russia”, All-Union exhibition in the Central Exhibition Hall in “Manege”, Moscow

1989, spring - All-Russian exhibition of young artists in the Central House of Artists, Moscow (Central House of Artists)

1989, autumn - All-Union autumn exhibition in Manege, Moscow

1990, spring - Exhibition of academic drawings at the National Academy of Arts in Prague, Czechoslovakia

1990, April - Personal exhibition of graphic works in the Exhibition Hall of the Moscow State Academy of Arts named after. V. I. Surikova, Moscow

1991, April-May - Personal exhibition at the Happy World Incorporation Gallery in Tokyo, dedicated to M. S. Gorbachev’s visit to Japan

1991, September - 1992, June - graduate internship through the USSR Ministry of Culture at the PRATT Art Institute in New York under the guidance of professors Ross Near, Phoebe Helman, Frank Lindt

1992, autumn - New York Expo at the Javits Center, New York

1993, spring - Group exhibition at the Nassau County Museum, Long Island, New York

1994, spring - member of the International Federation of Artists UNESCO and the International Art Fund

1994, July - Presentation of the painting “Triumph of the Russian Fleet” and personal exhibition at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces, Moscow

1994, autumn - Solo and group exhibitions at the Simic Gallery Complex, California

1994, December - exhibition of diploma works of graduates of 1992-1994. State Academic Art Institutes named after. V.I. Surikov (Moscow) and them. I. E. Repin (St. Petersburg) in the exhibition halls of the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow

1995, spring - member of the Moscow Union of Artists

1995, spring - All-Russian youth exhibition in the Gallery on Kuznetsky Most, Moscow

1995, May - Exhibition “Images of the Cossacks in Contemporary Art” in the gallery of MGAHI named after. V. I. Surikova, Moscow

1995, autumn - Awarded a Diploma of the Russian Academy of Arts

1996, May - Exhibition of paintings at the Russian Academy of Arts, submitted for a competition to recreate the paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow

1996, June-July - Personal exhibition in the halls of the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow 1996, August - personal exhibition in the Government House of the Russian Federation, Moscow

1996, December - All-Russian exhibition “20 centuries of Christianity” in the Central House of Artists, Moscow

1997, September - exhibition of preliminary designs for paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior at the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow

1997, October - the Moscow Government donated the painting “The Last Supper” to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and placed it in the Patriarchal refectory of the temple

1999, April - May - personal exhibition at the State Exhibition Hall “New Manege”, Moscow

1999, April 15 - November 25 - work on the paintings of the Cathedral Church in the name of Christ the Savior in Moscow. “Resurrection of Christ”, “Apostle Matthew” (northwestern pylon of the temple); “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem” (western tympanum of the temple); “Baptism of the Lord” (northern tympanum of the temple)

1999, December - 2000, January - led the creative team that worked on the creation of the picturesque decoration of the Throne Hall of the Jerusalem Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem

2000, February - May - work on sketches for the refectory halls of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow

2000, July - personal exhibition as part of a music festival under the patronage of Irina Arkhipova, Ostashkov

2000, July - August - led the creative team that created the picturesque and ornamental decoration of the Antechamber of the Hall of Church Councils of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow

2000, August - awarded the Order of Sergius of Radonezh, 2nd degree, for his work on the paintings of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

2000, November - presentation of a portrait of Irina Arkhipova in the Vrubel Hall of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

2000 - 2001 - work on four canvases: “Marriage in Cana of Galilee”, “Miraculous Multiplication of the Loaves”, “Christ and the Samaritan Woman”, “Miraculous Catch” for the Patriarchal Refectory of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow

2001, April - gala evening dedicated to the election of the Russian Academy of Arts and personal exhibition at the Russian Cultural Foundation

2002, January - August - work on the cycle of Theotokos icons and the Shroud for the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

2002, February - personal exhibition at the Museum of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of his birth, and presentation of paintings from the Gospel cycle by the Patriarchal Refectory

2002, March - December - at the invitation of the Head of the Administration of the Dmitrovsky District of the Moscow Region, he led a creative team that worked on the creation of a new picturesque decoration of the Assumption Cathedral in Dmitrov - a cultural monument of federal significance. Work on the paintings “Image of the Holy Trinity”, “Last Supper”, “Prayer for the Cup”, “Calvary” in the Dmitrov Dormition Cathedral

2002, April - with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexei II, he was invited as the leader of a team of artists and icon painters to create the picturesque decoration of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, built in honor of the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus' in Tsaritsyno, Moscow

2002, October - personal exhibition at the Museum of Books and Printing in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra

2003, May - at the invitation of the Vice-Mayor of Moscow V.P. Shantsev, he led a team of artists and restorers working to recreate the artistic decoration of the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the village of Domnino, Susaninsky district, Kostroma region, the family estate of the Romanovs

2003, July - August - exhibiting a series of winter landscapes in Berlin at an exhibition in the Festungsgraben palace as part of the Moscow Days in Berlin

2003, September - October - personal exhibition at the State Orenburg Art Museum

2003, October - exhibition “Thousand-Year Russia - Ways of Life” at the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts, Moscow

2003, November - publication of art albums “Painting by Vasily Nesterenko in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior” and “Assumption Cathedral in Dmitrov. Paintings by Vasily Nesterenko”

2004, January - February - personal exhibition at the State Exhibition Hall “Manege”, Moscow

2004, May - June - personal exhibition at the Oryol State Museum of Fine Arts

2004, October - participation in the exhibition “The Bible in the Paintings of Russian Artists of the 18th-20th Centuries”, organized by the Moscow Patriarchate together with the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum

2004, October - elected member of the Expert Commission for awarding State Prizes in the field of literature and art in the Central Federal District

2004, October - December - personal exhibition in the art gallery of the Vologda Kremlin Museum-Reserve

2005, June - presentation of the painting “Let's Defend Sevastopol” at the State Historical Museum, Moscow

2005, August - personal exhibition at the Sevastopol Art Museum named after M.P. Kroshitsky

2005, October - presentation of the portrait of V. Matorin in the role of Boris Godunov at the Union of Theater Workers of Russia

2006, June - July - personal exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Karelia

2006, December - personal exhibition at the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus

2007, April - May - personal exhibition at the Bryansk Regional Art Museum and Exhibition Center

2007, April - participation in the exhibition “Historical and cultural heritage of Moscow. 10 years of development” at the Central Exhibition Hall “Manege”, Moscow

2007, June - participation in the Anniversary exhibition dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Arts at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall, St. Petersburg

2007, October - participation in the opening of the Historical Forum and the November historical and musical festival “Pearls of Russia”

2007, November - December - participation in the exhibition “Dedicated to the Fatherland” at the Moscow Academic Art Lyceum of the Russian Academy of Arts

2008, February - March - personal exhibition in the Antechamber of the Government House of the Russian Federation, dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day

2008, February - March - personal exhibition in the exhibition hall of the Regional Art Gallery "Obraz" in Kaluga (organized with the support of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District G.S. Poltavchenko)

2008, April - May - personal exhibition at the Belgorod State Art Museum (organized with the support of the office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District and at the invitation of the Governor of the Belgorod Region E.S. Savchenko)

2008, April - May - participation in the exhibition “Moscow Family: Traditions and Modernity” at the Central Exhibition Hall “Manege”

2008, June - July - personal exhibition at the Tyumen Museum of Fine Arts (organized at the invitation of the Governor of the Tyumen Region V.V. Yakushev)

2008, August - September - personal exhibition at the Ukrainian House in Kyiv (as part of the All-Ukrainian exhibition “Holy Rus' - Ukraine”, dedicated to the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus' - at the invitation of the President of Ukraine V.A. Yushchenko)

2008, September - October - participation in an exhibition of graphic works by members of the Russian Academy of Arts in Kostroma

2008, September - November - personal exhibition at the Grand Palace in Tsaritsyno (organized with the support of the Moscow Government and held in 9 halls of the Palace)

2009, December - 2010, March - personal exhibition at the Academy of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation

Nesterenko Vasily Igorevich(Paintings by the artist):

More Syria and culture and

Vasily Nesterenko - to the enemies of Russia
Moscow hosts an exhibition of the famous artist “Syrian Land”

A true artist, a master of his craft, no, no, and he will surprise even his longtime admirers who know his style and genres well. So is the painter Vasily Nesterenko at the end of the year he made his viewers gasp in surprise and smile. Also, incl.

Vasily Nesterenko. "Letter to Russia's Enemies"

The basis of his new exhibition “Syrian Land” was the five-meter canvas “Letter to the Enemies of Russia.” The concept and composition of the painting are from the legendary canvas I.E. Repin "The Cossacks write a letter to the Turkish Sultan." The Cossacks' letter was written in 1676 in response to an ultimatum from the head of the Ottoman Empire. I.E. Repin, working on the painting two centuries later, wrote: “Our Zaporozhye delights me with this freedom, this rise of the knightly spirit. The daring forces of the Russian people renounced worldly blessings and founded an equal brotherhood to defend their best principles of the Orthodox faith and human personality... And this handful of daring people, of course the most talented people of their time, thanks to this spirit of reason (this is the intelligentsia of their time, they mostly received education ) intensifies to the point that it not only protects Europe from eastern predators, but threatens even their then strong civilization and laughs heartily at their eastern arrogance.”

And today, after another century and a half, we see the same plot in a painting by a modern Russian artist, only instead of the Koshe chieftain and his Cossacks, the army of Rus' from the 21st century is depicted on the canvas.

The appearance of the poet and his wife at the exhibition became a real sensation then. Having learned that Pushkin was in the Antique Gallery, the students of the Academy, including nineteen-year-old Aivazovsky, rushed there.

We see soldiers and officers fighting in Syria against global terror with weapons, in field uniforms, vests, helmets and bulletproof vests. A senior lieutenant with a bright young face is writing a collective message. One ballpoint pen is in his hand, the other is behind his ear, like a pen from Repin’s character. On the table, in addition to the piece of paper with the letter, there is a Kalashnikov assault rifle at an angle. By the way, the picture can be called an ode to the creation of the great Russian gunsmith, presented here in various modifications and types. The tabletop is sealed with the impressive fist of one of the powerfully built officers.

___

Vasily Nesterenko at the opening of the exhibition. On the left – M.I. Nozhkin / Photo by Pavel Gerasimov

Looking at the monumental painting by Vasily Nesterenko, you feel the scorching Syrian sun and hear thunderous laughter. An indestructible force emanates from her. Before us is the great Russian army, resurrected as if from oblivion after the “reforms” of recent decades...

“The theme of Russian military history occupies a significant part in my work,” says the artist in an interview with the Zavtra newspaper. – My paintings are dedicated to the Battle of Kulikovo, the victories of Peter, the time of deliverance from the Time of Troubles, the First World War and the Great Patriotic War... But there were no works dedicated to the modern Russian army. And I thought: where, if not in Syria, can I find those stories that will help me explore this topic.”

In May of this year, Vasily went on a business trip to the Syrian Arab Republic, made several trips around the country, and visited garrisons. When asked about his main impression, he replies: “Our army, our valiant warriors - both officers and privates of various branches of the military - all this is one big friendly family, that’s the feeling I got. And, of course, all of them are truly the elite of our Armed Forces. The army has very strict discipline, everyone is not just smart, but extremely focused. But even under conditions of such discipline there is room for the manifestation of the warmest, friendly feelings. In a short time I made so many friends there, it’s incredible!”

Well, the whole world today gazes in amazement at Russian pilots and marines, sappers and special forces, who in Syria, in confrontation with well-trained professional mercenaries, showed both the ability to deliver crushing sniper blows and the willingness, if necessary, to sacrifice their lives by calling fire on themselves ...

I remember the song from the movie “Officers”:

Look at my fighters
The whole world remembers them by sight.
Here the battalion froze in formation,
I recognize old friends again...

Those who have visited Syria note the high spirit of the soldiers; they understand: this is the defense of the Motherland on the distant approaches.

Presenting new works from the “Syrian Land” series, Vasily Nesterenko spoke with bitterness that the heavenly biblical country, in the old days so prestigious for travel among our fellow citizens, now lies in ruins, has become the “Syrian Stalingrad”...

At the opening of the exhibition, People's Artist of Russia Mikhail Ivanovich Nozhkin, Vasily’s longtime friend, noted: we are present at a historical event. Years will pass, but the painting “Letter to Russia’s Enemies” will remain. An artist who has all the highest honorary titles, an academician, could rest on his laurels, but he goes on a very risky business trip through the Ministry of Defense. The courage and high skill of their colleague and comrade were paid tribute in their speeches by two of the largest contemporary creators of Russian art - the painter Dmitry Belyukin and sculptor Salavat Shcherbakov.

Well, the past year has truly become a triumphant one for Vasily Nesterenko. In February, he celebrated his 50th anniversary with an exhibition in the main exhibition hall of Russia. The shining palace of the Manege was filled with his paintings and their admirers. The multi-meter scale of the canvases, the brilliance of colors and images stunned even sophisticated viewers. More than a thousand paintings! Russian history appears epoch by epoch. Portraits, landscapes brought from many countries. The huge face of Christ...

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Crucifixion", 1999

The exhibition was visited by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', and many priests, military men, politicians, and artists visited the exhibition. There were many rave reviews.

___

Vasily Nesterenko while working on the painting of the northwestern pylon of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Resurrection of Christ, 1999

I remembered then in the Manege meeting Vasily in the early 1990s in the workshop of the leader of painters of his generation - the unforgettable Sergei Prisekin... Both Prisekin and others predicted a great future for Nesterenko. But still, few could have foreseen what kind of phenomenon the young artist’s talent would develop into. His creative power and efficiency are amazing. At the opening of the exhibition in the Manege, a monk from Athos told how Vasily Nesterenko worked, painting the temple of St. the great martyr and healer Panteleimon in Stary Rusika - several months in Spartan conditions, from early morning until late evening. And before that there was many years of colossal work in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, painting of several more churches, the Throne Hall of the Jerusalem Patriarchate...

The “dashing” 1990s were a time of huge losses and lost talent. Gifted, educated artists used to spend big money decorating the interiors of villas and mansions...

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Unconquered"

In 2005, Nesterenko painted one of his best works - the portrait “Unconquered”. Before us is a front-line soldier, Marine Yuri Fomichev, a powerful, tall old man in the uniform of a chief sergeant major, with the Order of the Red Banner and other military awards on his chest. The icy wind of hard times pierces right through him, his gaze is exhausted, but adamant. He also looked through the sights near Moscow and Stalingrad. He also looks into the eyes of the authors of numerous “icebreakers”, the slanderers of the Great Patriotic War...

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Still life with attributes of art"

Since the early 1990s, I remember “Still Life with Art Attributes,” painted by Vasily in New York. In the center of the picture, on the artist’s table, is a sculptural figure, bent in thought... Outside the window is a recognizable line of skyscrapers with the twin towers blown up a few years later. Nesterenko, the best student at the Surikov Institute, was sent, the only one from the Union, to an internship at the Pratt Art Institute. And managed to conquer America! Let us remember that Vasily, before being accepted into the Russian Union of Artists, was already a member of the prestigious American League of Professional Artists; his first personal exhibition was held at the Citi Bank Gallery in the same “city of the yellow devil.” Here he not only learned about American realities, but also met a Russian exile, a 96-year-old student of I.E. Repin by the famous artist M.A. Verbov... Many then rushed to the States, ready for literally anything. But Nesterenko chose his own path. As the philosopher D. Santayana wrote: “A man must grow with his feet into the soil of his homeland, but let his eyes survey the whole world.”

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Roofs of Zamoskvorechye"

I love the painting “Roofs of Zamoskvorechye”, which Vasily and I viewed when I was preparing my first publication about him after he brilliantly defended his diploma “Triumph of the Russian Fleet” at the Surikov Institute. I would like to note that the now famous painter remained, more than twenty years later, just as easy to communicate with, unimpressive, and unbronzed.

___

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Triumph of the Russian Fleet"

“Portrait of a Russian Officer (V. Maksimov)” is magnificent. It depicts our mutual friend, an expert on the Petrine era, a rare ascetic Volodya Maksimov. This is someone who can rightfully be called a true warrior of the Spirit.

Vasily Nesterenko reminds: “Now it’s easy to be a patriot. All are patriots. Even those who are not patriots are still patriots. But the one who really deserves respect is the one who went through that wild time, who did not give up his positions, who preserved, so to speak, his Russian spirit.”

___

Vasily Nesterenko. “Let's defend Sevastopol”, 2005

“We will defend Sevastopol” - this canvas, painted for the 150th anniversary of the famous defense in 2005, soon became a picturesque epigraph to the “Russian Spring” of 2014. The picture was placed on billboards and hovered over Crimean roads. All of Russia in this canvas by Nesterenko is a bastion that holds a perimeter defense over the smoke and roar of battle. Vladimir Maksimov is posing again in the foreground - here he is a gunner calibrating the sight of a gun.

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Attack of the Dead"

And here is “Attack of the Dead,” written by the artist not so long ago, dedicated to the defense of the Osowiec fortress in the First World War. After the gas attack, only 56 people survived. The German division in gas masks moved to “clean up”, to finish off the poisoned. But from this child, spitting out their own lungs, a handful of Russians launched a final counterattack. The shocked Germans fled in horror...

___

Vasily Nesterenko. "Deliverance from Troubles"

It is also worth saying that the artist’s thoughtfulness and churchgoing allow him to see more deeply the essence of what is happening in the world and in Russia. It was not for nothing that on his anniversary in the Manege he stood in front of the huge canvas “Deliverance from the Time of Troubles.” What does he talk about in his speeches today? About the need to overcome the split in society, about the tragic events in Ukraine (Vasily is a native of Pavlograd, southern Donbass), about threats to the only Russian art education that has survived in the world...

According to Vasily Nesterenko, “the fighting spirit is there, it is felt, and military operations in Syria are one of the symbols of the revival of the army, of Russia. But I think the peak of the spirit is ahead...”
_______

The exhibition “Syrian Land” runs until December 17 at the branch of the Moscow State Art Gallery of Vasily Nesterenko in the exhibition hall “Chekhov’s House” (Malaya Dmitrovka, 29, p. 4).