Photo credit: Song of Prince Oleg, Viktor Vasnetsov / gallerix.ru
The rare edition of Pushkin's Song of the Wise Oleg was presented to the Tretyakov Gallery, TASS reports. The book, decorated with lithographs by Viktor Vasnetsov, was published in 1914. It was given to the museum by businessman Ulvi Kasimov. The solemn ceremony took place on Tuesday, July 21.
According to the philanthropist, the initiative for the gift came from his children just after they attended the opening of this exposition. The publication was purchased at one of the auctions in the United States. The donor said that his daughters paint, they even painted several works inspired by the motives of this book. The fact that the Tretyakov Gallery accepted the book as a gift is a great honor and joy, Ulvi Kasimov stressed.
Vasnetsov prepared a publication commissioned by the Imperial Academy of Sciences for 1899, when the centenary of the great poet was celebrated. Fifteen years later, the second edition came out. The clamshell book consists of twelve pages. Vasnetsov created four drawings, decorative caps, headpieces, and an ending.
Russkiy Mir
