A whole trend in the history of world architecture is associated with the name of Shekhtel - Russian Art Nouveau: many built, and he got the undisputed leadership. This is true: and not only because he has implemented a huge number of his projects in construction, and not only because a number of them are recognized as architectural icons. He knew the secret. Through his work, a person's dream of an ideal living space was realized. Shekhtel's space has magical power over people. To visit it is an event that then returns in dreams and remains forever in the memory.
It is no coincidence that it was Shekhtel who was entrusted with the design of iconic and very important objects for the state - his pavilions became the face of Russia at world exhibitions in Paris and Glasgow. He decorates coronation celebrations in Moscow and folk festivals and festivities.
His fate is amazing - as if he lived not one but several lives, and in parallel. Always a successful and constantly in demand, actively building architect, who is subject to everything - residential buildings, temples, interiors, and urban spaces, he reaches the heights in book graphics, illustrating Chekhov's Colorful Stories, popular magazines of that time, Oskolki "And" Alarm clock "under the pseudonym Fin Champagne. He is an acknowledged master of vignettes.
His scenography for theatrical performances becomes an event every time. He decorates urban public spaces such as Tverskaya Zastava Square or Triumfalnaya Square. He is a prominent public figure, the permanent president of the MAO for many years, a participant in international congresses, a professional star of an international scale. All these are manifestations of the personality of a "light genius" - generously and cheerfully realizing his talent to the delight of people. His friends said: "Shekhtel designs between a drawing board and a bottle of champagne."
Shekhtel's brilliant life, where, on the one hand, friendship with Chekhov, cooperation with Vrubel and the artistic elite, and on the other hand, the clientele in the person of railway and trade magnates, representatives of the new bourgeoisie and business, provided an opportunity for full self-realization. Its architecture is exactly what the Russian capitalists needed, in which they were ready to invest their resources. Shekhtel's refined taste, talent and culture manifested itself in the artistic quality of the space he created, and this is the visible part of the iceberg. And invisible, but very tangible - the most daring and most advanced engineering solutions for their time - air heaters, special electric lighting, air conditioning systems and so on. Shekhtel created not only an artistic, but also an ideally comfortable environment. And the bold introduction of the most innovative engineering solutions, of course, impressed business people, responding to their own aspirations.
Success and prosperity surrounded Schechtel for most of his brilliant century. The end of the architect's life is tragic - poverty and illness. His own house, the last one he built for himself according to his own design, has been nationalized. Work in VKHUTEMAS did not lead to new discoveries, the collected magnificent collection of works of art and books was sold for next to nothing in a time of famine. The resting place of Franz Albert, who was baptized orthodox and named Fyodor Osipovich, found his rest at the Vagankovskoye cemetery in the pantheon he designed for his family - and this is also a masterpiece.
But his life after life again showed favor. He remained in history himself as a symbol of the Russian mordern. And his masterpieces fell into good hands. Everyone who is fortunate enough to be related to this architecture falls under its charm, understands that this is something completely exceptional, and cares about it. They are under the protection of the state and not only the Russian one. Our friends and partners - the Australian embassies, headed by Mr. Ambassador Peter Tesh, today together with us remember the 90th anniversary of the death of the architect in the Derozhinskaya mansion, where the embassy has been located for more than half a century. This is a manifestation of love and respect, as well as the beginning of a new project dedicated to the work of the Genius of Russian Modernism.
