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Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople

  • The Union existed for less than two years but in that short space of time a tremendous amount of work was done by its members, refugees from the Russian Empire.
  • Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople
  • Society of Russian Artists in Constantinople, Союз Русских Художников Константинополя, Konstantinopolis Rus Ressamlar Birliği, Konstantinopolis Rus Sanatçılar Birliği

  • Association
  • The Union existed for less than two years but in that short space of time a tremendous amount of work was done by its members, refugees from the Russian Empire.

    Word Count: 30

  • The Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople existed for less than two years, but in that short space of time did a tremendous amount of work. This was mainly thanks to the enthusiasm and unrestrained energy of the members of the Union, refugees from the Russian Empire.
    Despite the fact that by the end of 1921 at least six successful exhibitions had been organised by the Association of Russian Painters, on 1 January 1922 the association was officially turned into an independent organisation called the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople. The membership of the Union was constantly changing, but its permanent leaders were apparently Wladimir Ivanoff and Dimitri Ismailovitch (Kravchenko and Fridolin were mentioned as secretaries). Wladimir Stepanovich Ivanoff was a founder and chairman of the Union. He delegated his responsibilities only once, to Nikolai Kalmykoff, in the summer of 1922 when he was ill. Dimitri Ismailovitch was known as the “organizer of exhibitions”. According to a newspaper article that appeared on 3 January 1923, these leaders' powers were extended until the departure of Wladimir Ivanoff to America. The names of the following artists-members of the Union were listed in the Farewell almanac: Tatiana Alexinsky-Loukina, Astafiev (Astori), Vladimir Bobritsky, Roman Bilinski, Nikolai Saretzki, Wladimir Ivanoff, Dimitri Ismailovitch, Nikolai Kalmykoff, Kaissaroff, Nikolai Peroff, Sabaneeff, Fedoroff. There were, of course, more members (for instance, Nikolai Saraphanoff and Iraida Barry) and, as mentioned above, they were constantly changing. As an example, Eugenia S. Bumgardner mentioned a young refugee girl of twenty with the surname Shaumine who while in Istanbul "belonged to that ambitious Society – the 'Union of Painters'" (Baumgardner 1925, 206).
    It is known that the Union had a charter and that the artists were issued with membership cards (they featured an elegant seal with a scorpion). New members were elected by ballot. When newspaper reports suggested that some people not related to the Union were trying to pass themselves off as members for personal gain, the Union reminded the paper's readers that members have special membership cards with the seal and signature of Ivanoff. The Union held regular artists meetings at which current issues were discussed and reports from the exhibition commission were heard. Announcements concerning exhibitions, the return of exhibits and payment for sold works were regularly published in the Russian newspaper in Istanbul, Presse du Soir / Vecherniaia Gazeta. In addition, honorary members of the Union were periodically elected (the first was Mayak’s director and American public figure Mr. Areson, in June 1922, followed by Foster Waterman Stearns and Martha Stearns, in August 1922, Chief of Staff of Am. N.F. in Turkey Philip R. Hepburn, in December 1922, the director of the Société Immobilière Max Pompée and the secretary of the American Embassy Gardiner Howland Shaw, in 1923, the director of the Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi or School/Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul, Cemil Cem). These meetings were held mainly in the evenings at Mayak (which closed in the fall of 1922) and, according to one source, also at the Dülber cafe. In 1922, thanks to the support of Foster Waterman Stearns and his wife, drawing classes were held in the Union’s studio, located near Galatasaray Square (Küçük Yazıcı 4), from seven to ten pm. In the same studio, during November and December of 1922, the registration of artists wishing to move to America was carried out. At the end of 1922, the studio relocated briefly to the Taksim military barracks, but the artists were once again painting portraits and nudes in Küçük Yazıcı Street by January 1923. Union members paid 50 kuruş per month to work in the studio; non-members paid 10 kuruş per visit.
    The chairman of the Union, Wladimir Stepanovich Ivanoff, organised “Drawing Thursdays” in his flat (among those who attended were the painter Nikolai Vasilieff, the architect Nikolai Vasiliev (Nicholas B. Vassilieve), Nikolai Saretzki, Nikolai Becker, Vladimir Bobritsky, Fridolin, Khudyakov, Pinegin, as well as many others). “At first they painted everything from life (models were usually invited to attend), then they drank tea and heatedly discussed the burning issues of the day” (Novitskiy, “Pamyati hudojnika V.S. Ivanova”, 1965). It must be said that the Union was the success it was largely thanks to Ivanoff. While he was chairman, “the Union helped its members find work, supported them in difficult times, and did not allow to be discouraged those who were tired and weakened" (Novitskiy, “Pamyati hudojnika V.S. Ivanova”, 1965).
    The Union put on (presumably) nine exhibitions at Mayak including First Russian émigré artists in Istanbul exhibition (two of them solo, by Dimitri Ismailovitch and Nikolai Saretzki), two solo exhibitions by Nikolai Becker at Pera Palace, two major exhibitions at Taksim military barracks (one of them - Exhibition of Russian émigré artists at Taksim Military Barracks) and one major exhibition at one of the YMCA halls in Pera/Beyoğlu. Union members were engaged in a variety of types of fine art, so the Union’s exhibitions were definitely not homogeneous. Here is what Eugenia S. Bumgardner wrote about the Union: "In the evenings, after long hours of work, the members of this Society painted in a room rented for them by a generous American. They gave monthly exhibitions in the Russian Myark [Mayak]. These were crowded with appreciative Russians – unable to do more than encourage the artists by their presence – and occasionally visited by an American, an Englishman, or a Frenchman, able to purchase a picture" (Baumgardner 1925, 206–207). In the summer of 1923 some of its members left the Union because of disagreements, others because of the departure of the Russian-speaking émigrés from Istanbul to the United States and other countries, and so, sadly, the Union folded.

    Word Count: 931

  • The Russian Lighthouse (Mayak), Bursa Street 40 (now Sadri Alışık 40), Beyoğlu, Istanbul (studio); Küçük Yazıcı 4 (now presumably Tarlabaşı Blv. 79), Hüseyinağa, Beyoğlu, Istanbul (studio).

  • Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople logo from 1922 membership card of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople (Private Archive of Dimitri Ismailovitch that belongs to Eduardo Mendes Cavalcanti).
  • Members of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople, Summer 1922. Source: Scrapbook “To Mr. and Mrs. Stearns from Russian Painters”, p. 8 (Stearns Family Papers. Archives & Special Collections. The College of the Holy Cross).
    1922 membership card of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople (Private Archive of Dimitri Ismailovitch that belongs to Eduardo Mendes Cavalcanti).
    Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople logo painted by T. Sabaneeff, 1922. Source: Scrapbook “To Mr. and Mrs. Stearns from Russian Painters”, p. 1 (Stearns Family Papers. Archives & Special Collections. The College of the Holy Cross).
    One of the exhibitions of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople, Summer 1922. Source: Scrapbook “To Mr. and Mrs. Stearns from Russian Painters”, p. 10 (Stearns Family Papers. Archives & Special Collections. The College of the Holy Cross).
    Exhibition of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople at Taksim military barracks, Summer 1922. Source: Scrapbook “To Mr. and Mrs. Stearns from Russian Painters”, p. 6 (Stearns Family Papers. Archives & Special Collections. The College of the Holy Cross).
    The Archives & Special Collections of The College of the Holy Cross holds a photograph portraying the members of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople. The photograph was displayed at the Occupied City/Meşgul Şehir Exhibition held at the Istanbul Research Institute. Ekaterina Aygün worked as a consultant for the exhibition (Photo: Burcu Dogramaci, 2023).
  • Anonymous. “Odnodnevnaya Vystavka Kartin.” Presse du Soir, 10 October 1921, p. 4.

    Anonymous. “Vystavka Soyuza Russkih Hudojnikov.” Presse du Soir, 19 June 1922, n.p.

    Anonymous. “V Soyuze Hudojnikov.” Presse du Soir, 29 June 1922, n.p.

    Anonymous. “Témoignage de sa gratitude de l’Association des Peintres russes à M. Stearns.” Presse du Soir, 27 November 1922, n.p.

    Anonymous. “Soyuz Russkih Hudojnikov v Konstantinopole.” Presse du Soir, 28 November 1922, n.p.  

    Anonymous. “V Soyuze Hudojnikov.” Presse du Soir, 23 December 1922, p. 3.  

    Bournakine, Anatoliy, and Dominic Valery, editors. Al’manah Na Proschaniye. The Farewell Almanac. L’Almanach Nos Adieux (1920–1923). Imp. L. Babok & fils, 1923.

    Bumgardner, Eugenia S. Undaunted Exiles. The McClure Company, 1925.

    Novitskiy, G. “Pamyati hudojnika V.S. Ivanova.” Novoye Russkoye Slovo, 23 December 1965, n.p.

    Ted’. “K Vystavke Hudojnikov.” Presse du Soir, 29 June 1923, n.p.

    Word Count: 124

  • Slavonic Library (Slovanská knihovna) in Prague.

    Archives & Special Collections at the College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, Massachusetts).

    Private Archive of Dimitri Ismailovitch that belongs to Eduardo Mendes Cavalcanti (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

    Word Count: 34

  • I wish to express my most sincere gratitude to the representatives of the Archives & Special Collections at the College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, Massachusetts) for their enormous assistance. I am also very grateful to Eduardo Mendes Cavalcanti for his valuable help. Finally I would like to thank the representatives of the Slavonic Library (Slovanská knihovna) in Prague for helping me tremendously during my work at the library.

    Word Count: 69

  • Ekaterina Aygün
  • 01-1922
  • 1923
  • Istanbul
  • No
  • Ekaterina Aygün. "Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople." METROMOD Archive, 2021, https://archive.metromod.net/viewer.p/69/2949/object/5145-10440425, last modified: 29-05-2023.
  • Boris Eguize
    Painter
    Istanbul

    In Istanbul, Eguize actively advanced in the field of portraiture. After he had become a member of the Union of Russian Painters, he was described as "an absolutely valuable acquisition".

    Word Count: 30

    Dimitri Ismailovitch
    PainterArt Historian
    Istanbul

    In Istanbul, Ismailovitch became one of the leaders of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople, organised three solo exhibitions, and made contribution to the study of Byzantine art.

    Word Count: 29

    Georges Artemoff
    PainterSculptor
    Istanbul

    It is difficult to say to what extent Istanbul was a fateful impact on Artemoff in terms of his artwork, but there he met his future wife, artist Lydia Nikanorova.

    Word Count: 30

    Iraida Barry
    Sculptor
    Istanbul

    After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Barry settled in Istanbul, where she lived until her death. She is remembered as one of the first female sculptors of the Turkish Republic.

    Word Count: 29

    Nikolai Becker
    PainterGraphic Artist
    Istanbul

    Nikolai Becker worked tirelessly in Turkey for three years. He created at least 168 portraits of men and women (among them admirals and their families, commanders-in-chief, diplomats, etc.).

    Word Count: 27

    Nikolai Peroff
    PainterArt restorerIconographerChoir DirectorCharitable Society’s ChairmanScene Designer
    Istanbul

    Nikolai Peroff lived in Istanbul until the end of his life. He was engaged in restorations, carried out scene decorations, and did a lot for the Russian churches in Karaköy.

    Word Count: 31

    Nikolai Kalmykoff
    PainterScene DesignerMuralist
    Istanbul

    Kalmykoff played an active part in the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople and at the same time worked as a stage designer. Later he acquired the Turkish citizenship.

    Word Count: 29

    Nikolai Vasilieff
    PainterScene DesignerMuralist
    Istanbul

    Vasilieff was not only one of the Union of Russian Painters in Istanbul’s leaders, but he is also remembered for his stage settings and costumes for the ballet Scheherazade at the Theatre des Petits Champs.

    Word Count: 36

    Tatiana Alexinsky-Loukina
    PainterArt Critic
    Istanbul

    Tatiana Alexinsky-Loukina arrived in Istanbul with her husband in 1920. While living in Istanbul, she actively participated in exhibitions of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople.

    Word Count: 26

    V.P.-Tch.
    PainterScene DesignerMuralist
    Istanbul

    Painter V.P.-Tch. is perhaps the most mysterious figure of all Russian-speaking émigré painters who lived in Constantinople in the 1920s. Until now, almost all sources indicated only his initials.

    Word Count: 31

    Vladimir Bobritsky
    PainterScene DesignerGraphic ArtistMusician
    Istanbul

    Bobritsky worked at the Theatre des Petits Champs, where he successfully dealt with stage designs and costumes, at the same time he participated in the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople.

    Word Count: 31

    Wladimir Ivanoff
    PainterSculptor
    Istanbul

    Not only did Ivanoff become one of the founders and chairman of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople, but he also became famous for “Drawing Thursdays”, which took place at his apartment.

    Word Count: 33

    Vladimir Kadulin
    PainterCaricaturist
    Istanbul

    When it comes to Russian émigré caricaturists in Istanbul, Vladimir Kadulin who worked under the pseudonym Nayadin for the almanac Zarnitsy is the first to come to mind.

    Word Count: 28

    Mehmet Cemil Cem
    DiplomatCaricaturist
    Istanbul

    Cemil Cem is remembered as a cartoonist, although he also managed the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul for four years. While director of the academy, he supported Russian-speaking artists.

    Word Count: 30

    Foster Waterman Stearns
    LibrarianDiplomatCollectorPolitician
    Istanbul

    Foster W. Stearns not only actively supported Russian-speaking émigré artists in Istanbul but also assembled a collection of their works which has survived to this day.

    Word Count: 26

    Lydia Nikanorova
    Painter
    Istanbul

    In Istanbul, Nikanorova worked at copying the mosaics and frescoes of the Kariye Mosque, and met her future husband, Georges Artemoff, also an émigré artist from the former Russian Empire.

    Word Count: 30

    Nikolai Saraphanoff
    PainterIllustrator
    Istanbul

    The artist is known for his numerous works with views of Istanbul, the design of the famous almanac’s cover, and the creation of decorative panels. Alas, his artistic activities were interrupted by his imprisonment.

    Word Count: 35

    Roman Bilinski
    PainterSculptorCollectorArt restorer
    Istanbul

    At the beginning of the 1920s, a member of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople, Roman Bilinski was known as a sculptor. At the end of the 1920s–beginning of the 1930s – as a sculptor, painter and connoisseur of local antiques.

    Word Count: 42

    Ismet Inönü Heykeli
    Monument
    Istanbul

    Between 1941 and 1944 the Berlin sculptor Rudolf Belling worked on the Ismet Inönü Heykeli. The monument was placed in the neighbourhood of Maçka.

    Word Count: 24

    Russkiy v Konstantinopole/Le Russe à Constantinople
    Guide-book
    Istanbul

    The guide-book was created for Russian-speaking refugees who had to leave their country and settle in Constantinople.

    Word Count: 17

    First Russian émigré artists in Istanbul exhibition
    Exhibition
    Istanbul

    The first Russian-speaking émigré artists in Istanbul exhibition was a one-day event but its success led to the formation of the Union and paved the way for other exhibitions.

    Word Count: 29

    Exhibition of Russian émigré artists at Taksim Military Barracks
    Exhibition
    Istanbul

    The exhibition of Russian-speaking émigré artists at Taksim Military Barracks was the first major exhibition organised by the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople.

    Word Count: 24

    Nikolai Saretzki
    PainterGraphic ArtistIllustratorArt CriticCollectorScene Designer
    Istanbul

    Saretzki took a rather long exile route: from the Russian Empire he fled to Istanbul, from Istanbul to Berlin, from Berlin to Prague, and from Prague to Cormeilles-en-Parisis near Paris.

    Word Count: 30

    Pera Palace Hotel
    Hotel
    Istanbul

    The Pera Palace was the gem of Pera district where people gathered to wine and dine and be entertained, as well as to discuss the issues of the day.

    Word Count: 29