Story of origin

To promote the development of arts in Odessa, in 1864, Odessa decided to found the Association of Fine Arts. To the Chief of Novorossiysk and Bessarabia Count Pavel Evstafievich Kotseb was submitted a draft charter. In addition to the project, a note was submitted stating that industrial and commercial activities for their successful development and prosperity require aesthetic education, which in turn has a beneficial effect on the morals and lifestyle of residents. The aim of the Association was to develop the taste and concept of painting in all classes of citizens, as well as to establish a public picture gallery and drawing school in Odessa. Financially, the founders pinned their hopes only on the works and donations of members of the assocation. The association was founded in Odessa in 1865. Prince Semyon Mikhailovich Vorontsov was elected president, the patron saint - Governor-General Count Kotseba, vice-president - academic architect Franz Osipovich Morandi, chairman. Immediately, in the same 1865, the Drawing School was founded. In addition, the First exhibition of the Association of Fine Arts in Odessa was organized. The exhibition had the main purpose to collect the exposition of the Odessa Art Museum, which was being created, although commercial goals were also pursued (sale of paintings). There were exhibited 261 works, including works by outstanding European artists, but they have not been preserved in the museum's exposition. In addition, a competition for a prize for paintings ordered by the Association for the Picture Gallery was announced. Subsequently, the Association purchased works from other exhibitions.

REGULAR ART EXHIBITIONS IN ODESSA 1890-1919

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH-RUSSIAN ARTISTS (ASRA)

classical art

The association's works were not in vain. Odessa in Russian Empire became the third largest center of painting after St.-Petersburg and Moscow. A characteristic feature of the culture of the painters of that era was their union in various organizations of artists, associations. Moreover, helping artists in the organization of exhibitions and sales of paintings, comradeship pre-Soviet period did not care much about the tastes and manner of artists. In 1890 was organized the largest association of Odessa artists (taking into account the impact on the whole Novorossiya - now South and mostly East parts of Ukraine) – Association of South-Russian Artists (ASRA / TURH). The chairmen of the association at different times were Nikolay Skadovsky (1890-1892), graduate of the Dusseldorf Academy of Arts, Aleksandr Andreevich Popov (1892-1902), graduate of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, Kiriak Konstantinovich Kostandi (since 1902), graduate and later member of the Imperial St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. From the foundation until 1919, an art exhibition was opened every autumn under the auspices of the partnership. In addition to the works of the members, they exhibited their works at the exhibitions Aivazovsky I., Bogaevsky K., Lansere E., Levitan I. I., Пастернак Л. О., Pimonenko N., Pokhitonov I., Repin I., Sarian M., Serov V., Stanislavskiy I., Feshin N. Informal evening meetings of artists were held in houses of Feshin N., Петрококиной Е. К., and Bukovecky E. , in restaurants of the city. They played music, read poems, drew cartoons on each other. Odessa painters and sculptors tried to stay in the narrow provincial world, focused on the artistic life of the largest cultural centers - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Paris, Munich. Most artists, with the exception of a few wealthy ( Bukovecky E. Skadovsky N. Kuznetsov N. Bukovecky E. Петрококиной Е. К., Sevastopulo M. ), lived mainly through professional work and teaching activities. Almost all Odessa participants of exhibitions were pupils of the Odessa Drawing School (since 1900 - art school), School of Arts of Ostromensky .

Members of ASRA / TURH 1912.
In the center is the chairman of the association Kiriak Kostandi. Kobtsev in the 2nd row, #7 on the left.

ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS OF THE ASRA / TURH

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The 1919-1920 years became fatal for the history of the Association, when many artists emigrated. The 1919's exhibition was the last one, and the Association ceased to exist after Kostandi died in 1921. A. Kobtsev participated in 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 29 exhibitions ASRA / TURH; lottery exhibition of 1914; united exhibition ASRA / TURH-ОНХ in 1918.

ASSOCIATION OF UNITED ARTISTS

informal

The Association of United Artists was the predecessor of the Association of Independent Artists. It was formed in 1909 as an informal association of young artists. Has held three exhibitions.

Members of AUA, 1913.
I row: 1 – Нитше П. Г., 2 – Волокидин П. Г., 3 – Krikhacky V., 6 – Porubaeva S.
II row: 5 – Кальвинский Н. К., 6 – Yuhnevich N., 8 – Mel V., 9 – Кишинёвский С. Я.
III row: 1 – Sivirin N., 4 – Porubaev P., 5 – Никифоров И. Г., 6 – Kobtsev A.

 

Catalog of the third exhibition of the AUA was designed and illustrated by Kobtsev A.

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

Odessa vanguard

The emergence of the Odessa avant-garde is associated with the activities of the following artists:

1
Boichuk, Mikhailo Lvovich
1882-1937
2
Burliuk, Wladimir (Vladimir)
1888-1917
3
Fraerman, Teofil Borisovich (Teo-Fra)
1883-1957
4
Izdebsky (Izdebskiy), Vladimir Alekseevich
1882-1965
5
Kandinsky (Kandinskiy), Wassily (Vasiliy) Wassilyevich (Vasilyevich)
1866-1944
6
Nurenberg (Nyurenberg, Kurgannyy, Kurganov, Nyuren), Amshey Markovich
1887–1979
7
Sheljuto, Nikolay Andreevich
1906-1984
8
Zhuk, Mikhail Ivanovich
1883-1964

They all studied after Odessa abroad. A special role was played by Kandinsky W. who studied in Odessa until 1885. In 1898-1910 he exhibited 150 works at ASRA / TURH exhibitions. But after 1910, Kandinsky left the Association. Having studied at the Ashbe School in Munich (1896-1900), Kandinsky, together with the ASRA / TURH Izdebsky V., decides to show contemporary art in Odessa. The first mobile “International Salon” of Izdebsky took place in Odessa in 1910. More than 700 works of Russian and foreign artists were presented there:

1
Balla, Giacomo
1871-1958
2
Bekhteev, Vladimir Georgievich
1878-1971
3
Bonnard, Pierre
1867-1947
4
Braque, Georges
1882-1963
5
Burliuk, Wladimir (Vladimir)
1888-1917
6
Derain, André
1880-1954
7
Ekster, Aleksandra Aleksandrovna
1882-1949
8
Jawlensky, Alexej
(1864-1941)
9
Kandinsky (Kandinskiy), Wassily (Vasiliy) Wassilyevich (Vasilyevich)
1866-1944
10
Le Fauconnier, Henri
1881-1946
11
Lentulov, Aristarkh Vasilyevich
1882—1943)
12
Marianne von Werefkin /​ Werewkina (Verevkina), Marianna Wladimirowna (Vladímirovna)
1860-1938
13
Marquet, Albert
1875-1947
14
Mashkov, Ilya Ivanovich
1881-1944
15
Matisse, Henri Émile Benoît
1869-1954
16
Matyúshin, Mikhaíl (Michael) Vasílevich (Vasilyevich)
1861-1934
17
Rouault, Georges
1871-1958

and other. After Odessa, the exhibition moved to Riga, Kiev and St. Petersburg. In the work on the organization of the second Salon (1910-1911) was actively involved Kandinsky W. In 1913 Izdebsky V. left for Paris forever. Kandinsky W. continued to participate in the artistic life of Odessa, where in 1913-1919 a number of exhibitions were held, initiated by the Associations of United and Independent. The exhibition, held from March to April 1914, featured works by Odessa's “independents”:

1
Bostrem, Georgy Eduardovich
1884(5)-1977
2
Nitshe (Natche), Pavel Gugovich
1885–1950
3
Nurenberg (Nyurenberg, Kurgannyy, Kurganov, Nyuren), Amshey Markovich
1887–1979
4
Olesevich, Sigizmund Stanislavovich /​ Olin, Jean
1891-1972

as well as about 60 works by members of the “Jack of Diamonds”:

1
Falk, Robert Rafailovich
1886-1958
2
Konchalovsky, Pyotr (Petr) Petrovich
1876-1956
3
Lentulov, Aristarkh Vasilyevich
1882—1943)
4
Mashkov, Ilya Ivanovich
1881-1944

In April, the exhibition was enriched with works by:

1
Bloch, Albert
1882-1961
2
Kandinsky (Kandinskiy), Wassily (Vasiliy) Wassilyevich (Vasilyevich)
1866-1944
3
Marc, Franz Moritz Wilhelm
1880-1916
4
Мюнтер, Габріель
1877-1962

 

The next “Spring exhibition of paintings” was held in 1916 in the City Museum. In 1917, the Association of Independent Artists focused on avant-garde art was founded. The members of the association were:

1
Babadzhan, Veniamin Simovich
1894–1920
2
Barzhansky, Vladimir Osipovich (iosipovich)
1892–1968
3
Bostrem, Georgy Eduardovich
1884(5)-1977
4
Bri (Bri-Beyn), Mariya Feliksovna
1892-1972
5
Brodsky (Shulimov), Moisey Solomonovich (Moisey-Isaak)
1896-1944
6
Brodsky, Lev Arkadievich
1890-1931
7
Bronshteyn (Braunshteyn, Brounshteyn), Dmitry Ilich
–
8
Bruderzon, Efim Osipovich (Haim Ios-Aronov)
1895-?
9
Efet (Yefet) - Kostini, Isaak I.
1892-?
10
Fasini, Sandro /​ Feinsilberg, Saul /​ Fasini, Alexandre
1892-1944
11
Fedorov, Victor Aleksandrovich
1897-1948
12
Fiks, Semen Osipovich (Samuil Iosifovich /​Samuil Aronov Iosev)
1896-1954
13
Filippov, Vladimir Vasilievich
1891–?
14
Fraerman, Teofil Borisovich (Teo-Fra)
1883-1957
15
Frenkel, Yitzhak (Frenel, Alexandre)
1899-1981
16
Gansky, Pyotr (Petr) Pavlovich
1867-1942
17
Gelman, Maks Isaevich
1892-1979
18
Gershenfeld, Mikhail Konstantinovich
1880-1939
19
Hosiasson, Philippe
1898-1978
20
Kishinyovsky (Kishinevsky), Solomon Yakovlevich /​ Shlioma, Gersh Yankelev /​ Benvenuto
1862–1942
21
Kobtsev, Aristarkh Aristarkhovich
1884-1961
22
Konstantinovsky, Iosif Samsonovich /​ Constant, Joseph
1982-1969
23
Krikhacky (Krikhatsky), Vladimir Gavrilovich
1877-1942
24
Kuznetsov (Kuznecov), Nikolay (Nikolai) Dmitrievich (Dmitriyevich)
1850-1929
25
Lebedev, Dmitry Mikhaylovich
1899-?(1924+)
26
Malik, Isaak Efimovich
1884-1975
27
Mamicheva (Mamicheva-Nyurenberg, Malicheva), Polina Nikolaevna
1894-1978
28
Mankovich, Isaak Yakovlevich
1894-?
29
Meksin, Izrail (Israel, Srul, Leyzer) Izrailevich (Israelevich)
1898-?(1937+)
30
Midler, Victor (Viktor) Markovich
1888-1979
31
Mileev, Sergey Vasilievich(Vasilevich)
1898–?(1941)
32
Myuller, Vladimir Nikolaevich
1887-1978
33
Nikiforov, Ivan Georgievich
1874-1920
34
Nilus (Nilus-Sloveckiy), Pyotr (Petr) Aleksandrovich /​ Pan
1869-1943
35
Nitshe (Natche), Pavel Gugovich
1885–1950
36
Nurenberg (Nyurenberg, Kurgannyy, Kurganov, Nyuren), Amshey Markovich
1887–1979
37
Olesevich, Sigizmund Stanislavovich /​ Olin, Jean
1891-1972
38
Perlin, Ovsey (Evsey) Mironovich (Meerovich)
1892-?
39
Samuel Granowsky
1882-1942
40
Shraiberg, G. B.
–
41
Sinayskiy, Victor Aleksandrovich
1893-1968
42
Smirskaya (Smirskaya-Stavropulo), Maria Ivanovna
1891–?
43
Sobol, Naum Fedorovich
1898-1967
44
Sokolini (Sokolik), Naum Klementievich
1898-1944
45
Solomakha, V. I.
?-1918
46
Tsomakion, Marfa Victorovna
1886-1977
47
Yuhnevich, Nikolay Zinovievich
1886–1966
48
Zagorodnyuk (Zagorodnjuk), Vladimir Pavlovich
1889-1976
49
Zaltser, Semen Zelmanovich
1898–1941

Four exhibitions were organized: in autumn 1917, in June 1918 (joint with ASRA / TURH, under the auspices of the Odessa Association of Fine Arts), November-December 1918 and December 1919. The exhibition in 1919 also exhibited a private collection of works of masters of “World of Art”, owned by Dragoev A., including works:

1
Benois, Aleksandr (Alexandre) Nikolaevich
1870-1960
2
Dobužinskis (Dobuzhinsky, Dobujinsky), Mstislavas Valerianovich
1875-1957
3
Jacovleff, Alexandre Yevgenievich
1887-1938
4
Lansere (Lanceray) Eugene(Yevgeny) Yevgenyevich
1875-1946
5
Petrov-Vodkin, Kuzma Sergeevich
1878-1939
6
Roerich (Rerikh), Nicholas (Nikolai) Konstantinovich
1874-1947
7
Serebriakova, Zinaida Yevgenyevna
1884–1967

and other artists.

Members of the Association also participated in the “1st Folk Exhibition of Paintings, Posters, Signboards and Children's Creativity” (June 1919) and “Folk Exhibition of Paintings in Memory of Т. Shevchenko ” (March — Aprial 1920) in Odessa.

The exhibitions showcased the work of some members of ASRA / TURH :

1
Gansky, Pyotr (Petr) Pavlovich
1867-1942
2
Kishinyovsky (Kishinevsky), Solomon Yakovlevich /​ Shlioma, Gersh Yankelev /​ Benvenuto
1862–1942
3
Kuznetsov (Kuznecov), Nikolay (Nikolai) Dmitrievich (Dmitriyevich)
1850-1929
4
Nilus (Nilus-Sloveckiy), Pyotr (Petr) Aleksandrovich /​ Pan
1869-1943

The exhibitions were accompanied by lectures on contemporary art, concerts. Since the end of 1919 the artists began to leave Odessa. To Israel, and then to Paris emigrated Konstantinovsky I., Frenkel Y.; to Paris — Hosiasson P. (through Italy and Germany), Olesevich S.; to Moscow moved Нюренберг А. М., Meksin I.; to Zagorsk — Bostrem G.; to Pertrograd — Brodsky M.

In 1920 the Association ceased to exist.

Members of AIA / ONH, 1918.
Kobtsev – 2nd row, #2 from left.

IRREGULAR ART EXHIBITIONS IN ODESSA 1890-1919

PETERSBURG EXHIBITIONS

PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS

CHARITY EXHIBITIONS

FOREIGN EXHIBITIONS

  • The exhibition was attended by Aristrarkh Kobtsev with graphics. After the show in St. Petersburg, Kobtsev was commissioned to design the cover of the leading St. Petersburg magazine «Аполлон»=“Apollo” for 1912.

SPECIALIZED EXHIBITIONS

ARTISTS ASSOCIATIONS AFTER OCTOBER REVOLUTION

PROFESSIONAL UNION OF ARTISTS

The union existed in 1920 - 1925. Did not hold any exhibitions.

KIRIAK KOSTANDI ART ASSOCIATION

In 1922 the Kiriak Kostandi Art Association was founded on the ruins of ASRA / TURH.
Kipen A. was his invariable chairman, and Lazursky A. was its secretary.

ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS OF KOSTANDI ART ASSOCIATION

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The day before the opening of the 5th exhibition in 1929, Krainev, Zauze, Volokidin removed their exhibits and left the Association. After the exhibition, due to ideological pressure and accusations of lack of ideology, the Association was liquidated.

ARTISTS' UNION OF THE UKRAINE

before the occupation of Ukraine

The union was founded in 1938 on the basis of the resolution of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (b) of 1932 “On the reconstruction of literary and artistic organizations”. It pursued the goal of creating ideological works of art, asserting the ideals of Soviet patriotism and proletarian internationalism.

ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS OF THE ARTISTS' UNION OF THE UKRAINE

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ROMANIAN SALONUL OFFICIAL

during the occupation of Ukraine

The exhibitions reflect the artistic life of Odessa during the Romanian occupation. The majority of Odessa residents who were not subject to conscription remained under occupation, which became a tragedy for Jews and Gypsies. But work was needed. The Romanian people treated with care the artistic heritage of Odessa and organized 2 art exhibitions and the Academy of Arts.

EXHIBITIONS OF THE SALONUL OFFICIAL

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ROMANIAN SALONUL OFFICIAL

during the occupation of Ukraine

The exhibitions reflect the artistic life of Odessa during the Romanian occupation. The majority of Odessa residents who were not subject to conscription remained under occupation, which became a tragedy for Jews and Gypsies. But work was needed. The Romanian people treated with care the artistic heritage of Odessa and organized 2 art exhibitions and the Academy of Arts.

ARTISTS' UNION OF THE UKRAINE - 2

upon the return of Soviet rule

ODESSA REGIONAL EXHIBITIONS OF THE SOVIET AUU

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ARTISTS' UNION OF THE USSR

The United Union of Artists of the USSR since 1957 united all the republican unions, making them their own units. The most prominent artists of the republican unions became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. The Union ceased to exist in January 1992 at the VIII Congress.

NATIONAL UNION OF ARTISTS OF UKRAINE

The National Union of Artists became the legal successor of the Union of Artists of the Ukrainian SSR after Ukraine gained its independence. The main tasks of the National Union of Artists are revival and development of all kinds of Ukrainian art as an integral part of the world culture, consolidation of creative forces of the country, provision of freedom of artistic creativity, holding of conferences, national, personal, innovative exhibitions, assistance to professional growth of organization members, social protection of its participants.