Vasily
BAZHENOV

“I was already born an artist. My father, a poor man, had no idea of my gift, although he noticed something about me, he was unable to pay for my tuition.” *

“I learned to draw on sand, on paper, on the walls and on any other appropriate place.”

“I was sent to the Icon of the Mother of God of the Passion Monastery, where I sang church psalms and recited prayers, although without the slightest bit of enthusiasm. However, I obeyed my parent and his will. I used the power of my mind to paint all the saints on the walls and to create various compositions involving them. My superiors often caught me in the act, and they flogged me quite often.”

"At the age of 15, I found a painter who noticed my passion for painting and for Christ’s sake, took me as an apprentice.”

“During the winter months, I built snow palaces and statues.”

“I was among the first students of the Academy of Arts, and upon graduation was sent to continue studies abroad.”

“I studied theory of art in France, and I was praised for this by the entire Paris Academy. I was also eager to learn practical aspects, and all architects were very eager to examine my designs, and my comrades, young Frenchmen, often stole my designs and eagerly copied them.”

“A good architect must be well-versed in literary and historical sciences. He must be able to draw, be competent in mathematics, the art of stonemasonry and perspective. He must be an honest, reasonable and sober-minded person. He must be quick-minded and have good taste. Otherwise he will not become a perfect architect and a person of value to society.”

“Just like people in ancient times, we have a right to be inventors and to follow the voice of our heart, though not becoming its slaves. Art is an infinite concept which is upgraded every day and which correlates with the morals of historical eras and nations having different opinions of outstanding things and describing them as they see fit.”

“We should now devote our free time to educating gifted young people and to providing them with essential knowledge about architecture, painting, sculpture, a sense of perspective, optics, engravings, mosaic-making and those sciences and skills that are directly linked with the main arts.”

* Information courtesy of the interviewee and statements by his family members, friends and colleagues