Mysterious building on Ostozhenka 21. The lion was returned to the roof of Kekushev’s mansion on Ostozhenka

During the restoration of the famous Kekushev House (also known as the House of Merchant Bykov, according to its owner) on 2nd Brestskaya, a significant event occurred: the lion mask returned to its place (it is also a kind of “signature” of the architect).

The house on Brestskaya, a striking example of architectural modernism, was seriously damaged by a fire several years ago (which I also wrote about). But with a lion the situation is completely different.

Here - in the old photograph - is that same lion, which is also the architect’s trademark, which is also the keystone of the arch.

And then one sad day (even before any fire) in its place is discovered... nothing is found. Hole. And below there are only small fragments. That is, the lion did not suddenly collapse - but disappeared. That is, the restorers are sure that the lion was simply stolen.

What made it possible to restore the lion mask (mere photographs would not have been enough)? Lucky here. The question of restoring the facades with their stucco molding was raised some time before the notorious fire. And they were completely laser scanned. Which is what made today's event possible.

Otherwise, work on the facades is carried out according to what has been preserved. Some things are cleared, some are strengthened, some have to be replenished according to samples. If you climb higher on the scaffolding (which I under no circumstances recommend you do!), the difference is still clearly visible.

Well, for the rest, restorers, with the onset of cold weather, will switch to working in interiors. They have already completed strengthening the structure of the damaged building. They promise to inform you about the progress of the work.

Well, meanwhile the lion settled into its rightful place. The scaffolding around it was even slightly dismantled so that it could be seen. And passers-by are already taking pictures of Leva on their mobile phones.

This idea had already been picked up by Yakov Rekk, who headed the Moscow Trade and Construction Joint Stock Company in 1898.
And so an old estate was bought on Povarskaya and in 1903, according to the design of Lev Nikolaevich, they began to build two mansions, between Skaryatinsky and Skatertny lanes. M.V. Nashchokina suggests that Kekushev began making designs for these mansions for Mamontov.
In 1904, the mansions were already built and ready for occupancy.

This is how this place was from 1904 to 1915, when, according to some sources, the architect Motylev rebuilt the facades of the first mansion closest to us in the neoclassical style and completely killed, so to speak, the entire Ponizovsky house.
And before that it was a corner of pure Franco-Belgian modernism in Moscow. In my opinion, an unrealistically beautiful quarter...

Lev Kekushev was considered by his contemporaries to be the most brilliant artist of the European movement, surpassing even Franz Schechtel. I agree with them. Shekhtel is a brilliant architect, decorator, and graphic artist. He built theatrical sets, grandiose ones of course, from his mansions. And Kekushev thought in terms of volumes, techniques, and categories of modernity. Although in history he was much less fortunate. Of all his works, crumbs remain.

A brilliant polymath, a connoisseur of world art, an excellent draftsman and a master of historical and architectural stylizations, Kekushev was the king of outrageousness. For the manufacturer Grachev, he built a villa in Khovrin - a variation on the theme of the casino in Monte Carlo, built by the Frenchman Charles Garnier. He gave his own house in Glazovsky Lane the features of the Brussels Hotel Tassel - the brainchild of Victor Horta, the founder of Belgian Art Nouveau.

But let's return to the mansion, whose appearance has hardly changed since 1904.


The complex volumetric composition of the house, characterized by the solidity of intersecting volumes, occupies the corner of the site and thus forms the facade of both Povarskaya Street and Skaryatinsky Lane. Kekushev always created complex volumes for mansions. He did not build boxes, which he then simply finished in the Art Nouveau style.



This is the basic principle from inside to outside, when the interior spaces and their layout forced a more dynamic construction of the facades and volumes of the external architectural composition of the house.
Building plans lost the simplicity of geometric constructions and became complex, multi-figured, reflecting the internal dynamics of volumes.
Modernism contrasts the simplicity and harmonious transparency of the forms of classical architecture with complex figurativeness.
Here, of course, it should also be noted that Art Nouveau used the most advanced materials and technologies in construction. The invention of reinforced concrete, the plastic properties of which helped create such light and fluid lines characteristic of the Art Nouveau style. It created the image of a flexible and durable, elastic and elastic, pliable and rigid material, which made it possible to cover vast spaces, withstand enormous loads, create large forms, flexible joints, light airy structures, without fluttering decorations and supports. Reinforced concrete significantly lightened the structure and at the same time began to visibly show its work.



Among Kekushev’s works, this mansion occupies a special place due to the variety of elements of its external and internal decorative decoration.

The center of the composition from Povarskaya Street on the façade is a three-part window on the second floor


united by an arched niche, above the archivolt of which there is a panel depicting figures of naked putti engaged in various activities in the field of art, covered with a large arched canopy.



Before the revolution, this canopy was still topped with a sculpture


the goddess Aurora scattering flowers is a symbol of joy and prosperity. At her feet little putti were playing around, one of which, as usual, was blowing soap bubbles, symbolizing the transience of life. But in the century that has passed since the building was built, Aurora has disappeared.

And the play of these different volumes and decor seemed to flow from top to bottom like such a powerful stream of water...



These large drops from below support the panels. A flowing treatment of a kind of “desudeporte” of an archivolt above the window... And then this wave breaks on a decorative balcony


fancifully and richly decorated with already ripe poppy heads and acanthus leaves



wonderful window frames, which were never repeated by Kekushev.
It must be said that there is no such common Kekushev detail on the binding as a flowing drop. Because there is a powerful flow of ornament and lines, and on the windows they would be superfluous.
It should also be noted that the window joinery was made by Kekushev from very high-quality larch material and they have not rotted for more than 100 years.



the balcony is supported or flowed down from it by 4 more flowing brackets and flows to the rhythm of the windows with rounded corners and the frames of the window portals flowing down..



the window sills end in a fringe of the same wavy vertical trim as the archivolt above the upper window. And all this makes this composition unusually stylish and attractive to smooth out. And if you stop and start looking at the house, it’s impossible to take your eyes off... Because one detail flows into another, but at the same time it all looks very whole and not fragmented.

Here I will make a slight digression and quote clever statements about the curved lines of modernity - The famous line of modernity, which received its name in architecture after the Belgian architect who popularized it - the “Orta line” - was a consequence of overcoming Euclid’s geometry in mathematics in the 19th century.
Euclidean space, the construction of which was based on straight lines, was in fact an idealization, the result of abstraction from real space.
Real space is defined by a curve, not a straight line.



In the 19th century Gaussian geometry appears, capable of describing curvature, which opposed itself to Euclidean as a more complex system. Therefore, the dominant line of modernity is a curved, “serpentine” line - lively, energetic, winding, dancing. In Art Nouveau iconography it was associated with a sea wave, the flight of drapery in a dance or the lashing blow of a whip; in ornaments it was associated with climbing vegetation or the web of a fence.



On the right is the harmonious semicircular volume of the winter garden. With almost continuous glazing for maximum use of sunlight.



Moreover, the glass is located at an angle.
They were all poisoned. Also a unique invention of modernity.
Now every year the number of etched glasses here is decreasing.


The spaces between the windows are decorated with peculiar semi-columns-pilasters along which amazingly graceful ornament flows. Like a wreath of chestnut leaves on the capital, then the trunk of a thin dandelion and the most elegant “spout” of the base. But it will not completely drain, because the corners of the wreaths and the ornament from below seem to cling to the sides of the semi-column and stop this rapid movement.
All this is supported by window sill rosettes, the same as those under the central balcony.

Above it all rises an English-style chimney


Kekushev made a lion mask on it. Your "signature". It was lost over time.
And when the mansion was restored, they placed there the same newt flower as on the other side.


On the side above the windows there is an ornament of three white flat stripes with bee or wasp nests.



it’s like notes and it seems the cheerful music is encrypted in this ornament


And a decorative, as it were, keystone, with a surprisingly elegant viscous ornament.
He is so blissful and calm that you involuntarily stop your gaze on him.

It was very surprising and symbolic that the architect placed my favorite Lorelei in different corners of the building.


Lorelei on the corner of Skaryatinsky and Povarskaya meets the dawn. She has her eyes open. The light falls on it in the first half of the day.

And Lorelei from the back facade with her eyes down - the sun is setting - night is coming

Amazing and back facade of the house





The rear facade is already more austere - this is a more private part of the building.
A massive front door is like the entrance to a castle, powerful protection from adversity and misfortune.

Unfortunately, I do not have photographs of the stables and services with the amazing horse above the gate. The staircase, which overlooks the courtyard, had a stained glass window that was amazingly preserved
Thanks to SALON magazine

The main staircase has a sculptural Kekushevka lion railing decor.

This stained glass window was covered up and opened at one's own risk by the previous New Zealand Ambassador.

In general, of course, we need to thank him not only for the restoration and preservation of this miracle of modernity, but also for popularizing it. Because M. Nashchokina’s book about this mansion was published with his direct participation.

hall..

glass of the winter garden from the inside..

Here is the horse over the stable or garage...

I can’t stop, I want to look and look at it.
Well, isn’t this newt charming, holding a garland of flowers with its paws and mouth - a symbol of well-being.

In general, modern artists and architects came up with the idea of ​​​​transforming the surrounding world through beauty.
This mansion of the great Moscow Art Nouveau architect Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev fully meets this idea. Every stroke, every detail is so beautiful that the world around seems more beautiful and better, and people cannot be evil, selfish and bloodthirsty.
Rudeness and money-grubbing have no place next to such perfection of beauty.

Beauty will save the world.

And yes, I know that the horizon is blocked, the quality of the photo is not so good. But we show what we have.
By the way, I’ve been collecting photos for three years to put them together for this post.
This is the embassy - it was forbidden to take photographs.

UPS/ Here is a rather large photo of the horse they gave me



Thanks a lot to the author of the photo :)

WHERE AND HOW DO DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS LIVE IN MOSCOW

Ancient mansions in Moscow do not always turn into museums. Some of them today‒ just like hundreds of years ago‒ their inhabitants continue to live a rich social life, freely breathing in the capital's air through deep windows with wide sills. Selected guests ascend luxurious staircases with lace railings, grand receptions are held in spacious living rooms, families gather every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the huge tables of impressive dining rooms, and the walls of gloomy English-style offices are refreshed by paintings by famous painters...

Text: Elena SHPIZ

It is thanks to the historical mansions that the center of Moscow was and remains a special world, as if charmed from the modern bustle, the inevitability of skyscrapers and eternal traffic jams.

In essence, these are not even houses, but architectural personalities who have survived revolutions, wars, many romantic stories and real dramas. Probably, the talent of true restorers lies in preserving the “soul” of walls soaked in time, despite the inevitable introduction of modern materials. One would like to call these masters architectural aesculapians who restore health to the “tired organisms” of ancient mansions and breathe original historical beauty into the drooping appearances of facades.

Photo from the archive of V. Mayakovsky

Nowadays, such houses are only rarely bought into private ownership; more often they are in the department of various government agencies that are responsible for their safety.

As you know, some of the Moscow mansions are occupied by foreign embassies. All these buildings are under the economic control of the Main Directorate for Services to the Diplomatic Corps under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter GlavUpDK - editor's note).

GlavUpDK is responsible for many historical real estate properties in the capital, which are mainly provided on special terms to embassies and diplomatic missions of different countries, as well as foreign and Russian companies with an impeccable reputation. Long-term rent allows you to adequately maintain the architectural heritage. Mansions are literally taking on a new life. Experts from GlavUpDK control and carry out restoration of subordinate buildings using licensed contractors.

Project of Lev Kekushev's mansion on Ostozhenka, 21

"MARGARETA'S MANSION"

Currently, GlavUpDK is restoring the famous “Gothic castle” of the legislator of Moscow Art Nouveau Lev Kekushev on Ostozhenka, 21 - one of the most recognizable mansions of the capital’s “golden mile” with a faceted turret, asymmetrical composition and the intriguing dynamics of multi-format windows.

“It is fundamentally important for us to accurately restore the historical appearance of the mansion,” the chief architect of GlavUpDK shares with the MV observer Georgy Orlov. “This is the first complete restoration in the entire more than century-long history of the building, and if there is even the slightest opportunity to preserve the original materials, we are fighting for every millimeter. Because it is in these details that the atmosphere and spirit of ancient buildings live. But with all our desire to thoroughly recreate the past, we are forced to reckon with the realities of the present. In particular, with the colossal traffic of cars directly in front of the mansion and the metro line passing under the foundation, which cause strong vibrations and exert a powerful additional load on the foundation and walls of the house. But 80% of load-bearing structures are historical! We replace only completely destroyed elements, in particular, fragments of the roof covering and rafter system, and, of course, we remove numerous layers of paint from different times and deeply ingrained dirt from the surface of the walls and stucco. However, basically, we only treat and complement the architectural heritage, using techniques and materials from the time of the building’s construction, that is, the beginning of the 20th century. Moreover, we treat in the literal sense: we make various strengthening and waterproofing injections, “implant” special metal structures, and supplement lost fragments with elements newly manufactured using old technologies. Our restorers are the most experienced craftsmen; we have been working with them for many years.

Chief architect of GlavUpDK Georgy Orlov with his team: the creative process is in full swing...

Now in all rooms of the mansion on Ostozhenka, 21 - the hall, living room, office, bedrooms - according to Kekushev's idea, surrounding the expressive staircase - renovation and reinforcement of floors are being carried out

- Do you see the white ceiling? – Georgy Orlov continues to clearly immerse us in history. – But, if you look closely, you can see on its surface special test clearings of the paint layer, carried out by restoration artists, where the paint coatings are removed layer by layer, exposing the author’s color scheme. And behind the removed plasterboard sheathing, unique wooden ceilings were discovered, replicating the vaulted ceiling, a rare find for Moscow.

During the work, several blocked door and window openings were opened, the existence of which no one knew.

Under the metal of the window sills, historical ceramic tiles were found, which once covered the entire roof, but in Soviet times were replaced with ordinary steel sheets. Based on the samples found, a tile covering is made that will cover the building and protect it for many decades to come.

In reality, the work of craftsmen under the supervision of GlavUpDK specialists turned out to be real jewelry art. The MV observer was convinced of this personally, having climbed the scaffolding and come into close contact with the restoration of the unique stucco decoration of the facade.

By the way, regarding the question of treatment: one of the tools of the restorers turned out to be a real medical scalpel. How interesting it was to watch how the young master, and indeed like an experienced surgeon, with a confident hand carefully removed the upper layers of elegant stucco molding that had faded with time.

GlavUpDK restoration team

‒ How long will it take in total to restore the Kekushev mansion on Ostozhenka, 21?‒ I asked the chief architect of GlavUpDK, inspired by what I saw.

“The work is expected to last 19 months,” says Georgy Orlov.

Researchers are convinced that the mansion on Ostozhenka, 21 is one of the main prototypes of the “House of Margarita” - the same one from the window of which the Master’s beloved flew out to the demonic ball. And, although the literary description contains details of other houses that existed at that time - in particular, Ivan Korovin in Maly Vlasyevsky, 12 (1903), Zinaida Morozova on Spiridonovka, 17 (1893-1898), Sergei Solovyov in Maly Rzhevsky, 6 ( 1901-1902) and Stepan Ryabushinsky on Malaya Nikitskaya, 6 (1900-1903), yet the “Kekushevsky features” are the most piercing. Especially the three-leaf window... Even the fate of Kekushev himself - who ended up in a mental hospital (or, as they said then, “the house of sorrow”), the Master who disappeared without a trace - evokes almost mystical associations with Bulgakov’s novel.

KEKUSHEV: RICH MAN, POOR MAN...

Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev seemed to really exist outside of time and space. There is no exact information about the places of his birth and death. (He was born either in Vilna (now Vilnius), which is most likely, or in Saratov - editor's note.) Where and when he was buried is also unknown.

Who would have thought that such a denouement could await one of the most successful, richest and happiest people of his time!

According to the stories of his only grandson, Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev was distinguished by an excellent character, a complacent disposition and a truly Bulgakov-like sense of humor. I loved pranks. He was always kind to relatives, friends and colleagues. He was incredibly passionate and immersed himself in architectural projects from morning to evening. Every day from six in the morning I drew, invented, experimented and played pranks in every possible way, not afraid to exceed the estimates set by the customers many times over - just to perfectly embody the image created in my imagination. At the same time, Kekushev covered all overexpenditures according to estimates from his own wallet, and as a result, despite the fact that, according to the calculations of the historian Arkady Krasheninnikov, he earned “no less than a million rubles,” he left behind only debts, as his wife later said, forgetting to mention about the great architectural heritage...

The fate of Lev Kekushev is one of the saddest mysteries, never solved even by the most meticulous and passionate researchers. The most famous architect, whose buildings initially became the hallmarks of Moscow, died in some unnatural isolation from his family and friends - no one knows where, no one knows when. And this despite the fact that he was the father of three children, for whom he once built a real fairy-tale palace - the only mansion in Moscow with a lion on the roof.

By the way, because of this lion, some colleagues were openly angry with Kekushev, condemned him for his imperial habits and even nicknamed him “the lion of Moscow modernism.” However, what did it matter if both Muscovites and visitors never tired of admiring the luxurious beast, looking at the city from a royal height.

The lion was indeed authoritative: about 4 meters in length and more than three meters in height. At the same time, it weighed a whole ton!

But the most amazing thing is that at some point this crown Kekushevsky lion disappeared as mysteriously and without a trace as Lev Nikolaevich himself...

It is curious, by the way, that the Austrian sculptor Rudolf Weyer created the lion by analogy with his lions on the sluice of the dam in Nussdorf in Vienna, built according to the design of Otto Wagner.

Rudolf Weyer's Viennese lion - a prototype of the Moscow one on the Kekushev mansion

Rudolf Weyer's lions on the lock of the Nüssdorf dam in Vienna, designed by Otto Wagner

Probably, Kekushev’s sympathy for Austrian masters is explained by the fact that, having arrived in Moscow after graduating from the Institute of Civil Engineers and his first successful architectural practice in St. Petersburg, Lev Nikolaevich interned for three years with the fashionable Moscow architect Semyon Eibushitz, an Austrian by birth who accepted Russian citizenship .

The lessons of the Austrian architect definitely influenced Kekushev’s author’s style, and in addition, they significantly helped him form a circle of very wealthy potential customers - mainly from wealthy merchant families.

It would seem that everything fell at Kekushev’s feet.

In the mid-90s, Kekushev received an order from Nicholas II himself, winning the tender to arrange the official coronation of the emperor. He coped with the job brilliantly, and from that moment, despite his youth, he gained fame and wealth that his much older colleagues never dreamed of.

The famous entrepreneur Savva Mamontov actively involved Kekushev in his projects - in particular, the construction of the Metropol. True, it was not possible to implement the plan, because Mamontov was arrested on charges of embezzlement. And, although the court later completely acquitted him, the entrepreneur was ruined, and all his property, including the construction of the Metropol that had begun, went to pay off his debts. However, the new owners again invited Lev Kekushev together with Nikolai Shevyakov as co-authors of the hotel complex, and they significantly changed the existing project of William Walcott, which, according to contemporaries, brought the building a colossal success.

Who would have thought that the beautiful red and white castle that the architect built for his family is still popularly called “Kekusheva’s mansion”, because the architect registered the house in the name of his wife, although the mansion was later sold and in an archival photograph of 1908 designated by Lev Nikolaevich himself as the “House of Smith” - it will become for its creator the main symbol of fatal contradictions in life - a fulfilled and destroyed dream, absolute happiness and the collapse of all hopes, a family nest and a lost family.

After the revolution of 1905, the tastes of society changed dramatically, and the romance of early modernism was replaced by neoclassicism and strict northern modernism, to which Kekushev was categorically not in the mood. And in general, a hopeless cloudy streak had come in his life.

In 1907, one of his largest projects - the Eldorado restaurant (1907) - went to another architect, who significantly deviated from Kekushev’s drawings. However, something completely different broke Kekushev.

According to indirect historical information, Kekushev’s wife Anna Ionovna, nee Bolotova, who was almost 16 years younger than her husband, became interested in an employee of his architectural bureau, and in 1906–1907 the couple broke up. The architect moved into a rented apartment. Subsequently, the Kekushevs twice tried to live together again (in 1908–1909 and after 1913 - editor's note), but the destroyed love could not be restored. And reunite the family too.

The most incomprehensible thing is that after Kekushev’s death, the exact date of which is unknown, neither the widow nor the children of the eminent architect found his grave. It is only known that he was buried in one of the Moscow cemeteries...

It is clear that the time was difficult, and many things could have hindered such searches, but even years later, none of the relatives found the grave. Although Kekushev’s son, Nikolai, became a famous aviator (in 1924 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, in 1930 he reached the North Pole, during the siege of Leningrad he evacuated residents of the northern capital on a civilian plane - editor’s note) and, probably had sufficient connections to find out at least something about such a famous father. But, apparently, he did not use them. However, Nikolai’s own fate was dramatic. As usual, despite his merits and exploits, after the war he had to go through prison and camps. As a result, after his release, he published a book of memoirs under the eloquent title “Zveriada”. However, even in his memoirs, Nikolai wrote about Lev Nikolaevich in something extremely insignificant: “My father, who came from a military family, hated the royal drill and raised me to hate everything military.”

Surprisingly, in fact, everything worked out: at one time, Lev Kekushev’s father predicted a military career for him, but the future architect decisively avoided it. With his own son, everything turned out the other way around...

Meanwhile, it recently became clear that the relatives knew where the Master was dying.

“Almost in 2006, researchers discovered archival materials from which it became known that one of Kekushev’s daughters in 1935 got a job in an organization that was engaged in special projects and restoration,” the head of the museum service of GlavUpDK told the MV observer Lydia Nechaeva.- So in her biography she wrote that her father, Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev - a famous architect who built about 60 objects in Moscow - was placed in a psychiatric hospital, where he died in 1917.

But if you believe this information, then the current year 2017 coincided with two anniversaries of Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev - the 155th anniversary of his birth, and the 100th anniversary of the year of death.

The more symbolic is the symbolic gesture with which GlavUpDK is going to express respect for the memory of the great architect. In addition to the complete restoration of two Kekushev mansions in the center of Moscow, the department intends to return 21 mysteriously disappeared lions to the roof of the castle on Ostozhenka.

LION ON THE HIGH

To be honest, I can’t even believe that in less than two years, we will be able to see the king of beasts at his rightful 15-meter height.

It was here that the Kekushevsky lion was originally attached. Photo: Elena Shpiz

In fact, recreating the missing lion is downright a detective story. The fact is that there is no exact information about the material from which it was made. The same as about the time and reasons for his disappearance.

It is curious that in the photograph of Vladimir Mayakovsky from 1920 there was still a lion...

Some sources suggest that the lion disappeared during the war years. Allegedly, it was metal inside and was simply melted down into weapons. Other researchers claim that the sculpture was made of marble, and it was secretly sold, because attempts to buy a lion for fabulous money were made at a time when Anna Kekusheva lived in a mansion and, to her credit, refused to sell her husband’s signature sign. According to the third version, the lion was made of fragile material and simply collapsed.

“We study a huge amount of archival materials in order to thoroughly recreate the facades and interiors of historical buildings,” says Georgy Orlov. ‒ Sometimes this can be incredibly difficult, because in some cases there are not even archival materials left. It was especially difficult to find accurate information about the sculpture of the missing lion. And yet we found a photograph in which the lion is visible in all its glory, so now we can recreate it.

‒ Considering the discrepancy between information from various sources, what material will the sculpture of the new lion be created from?

“It is obvious that in our time these can only be optimal materials,” notes Georgy Orlov. - On the one hand, they are very durable, impervious to weather disasters and vibrations at a 15-meter height, on the other hand, they are not too heavy, so as to avoid too much stress on the building itself. Perhaps we will cast a lion in bronze.

LAVENDER CASTLE

After the house on Ostozhenka surrounded by forests, the completely restored mansion of the Korobkov merchants on Pyatnitskaya, 33 awaited us - another Kekushevsky architectural masterpiece. The capital's ladies romantically nicknamed it the “lavender castle”, thanks to the color of the façade, which awakens joy and mysteriously changes tone depending on the weather.

It was all the more interesting to see the interiors and pay tribute to every detail of the mansion - from the famous staircase with winding steps and the unique stained glass window opening into the hall, to the delicate stucco of the luxurious ceilings and alfrey painting, imitating the texture of expensive wood walls in an English office.

The wooden texture is made using the Alfrey painting technique. Photo: Yuri Potekhin

Frankly speaking, both visually and tactilely the tree felt like real wood. However, Georgy Orlov convinced that in fact this was a masterfully executed drawing.

“The technology is very complex and expensive,” explained the chief architect of GlavUpDK. “It took a lot of work to implement such an idea, and we are very glad that everything was a success.

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The name “alfraine painting” comes from the Italian “alfresco”, i.e. drawing on wet plaster, imitating a three-dimensional texture. Most often, this technique is used in churches, striking the imagination of parishioners with the beauty and visual volume of church scenes.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Head of the museum service of GlavUpDK Lidiya Nechaeva talks about the famous winder steps of the Kekushev staircase. Photo: Yuri Potekhin

With no less pride, Lidiya Nechaeva spoke about the crown Kekushev staircase, which architects consider a separate work of art.

“This is one of the most beautiful and unusual staircases in the history of Moscow architecture,” says the head of the museum service of GlavUpDK. ‒ She is so expressive that she makes the lobby in this mansion one of the most beautiful in Old Moscow. Particularly interesting are the lace arched rocaille lattice and the unusual winder steps, which are quite rare.

We happily wandered around the “circular system” of small, but visually extremely spacious rooms on the second floor. What surprised me most was the unity of the completely different interiors. Kekushev did not betray his amazing talent of not repeating himself and entertaining the eye. Namely, not just to please, but to entertain, intriguing with the organic dynamics of shapes, colors and textures. It seems like turning every new space that opens into a surprise. We admired the huge chandeliers, which seemed delicate and light despite their size and did not at all overwhelm us with “tedious luxury”.

It was nice to feel like pioneers in a freshly restored historical mansion and imagine live a fabulous life in such a house - and even in the quietest, most beautiful corner of the capital’s center. Mentally furnish the still empty interiors.

I was tempted to drink a cup of coffee in the spacious dining room, looking out the happy Kekushev windows...

And when they left, they couldn’t help but admire the lavender façade once again.

‒ It’s still curious how Kekushev came up with such an incredible color? – I involuntarily ask, expecting a romantic explanation.

“I wanted to joke,” Georgy Orlov smiles. ‒ Kekushev loved to joke and surprise...

The editors of “MV” express gratitude for the cooperation to Svetlana Chumikova, Advisor to the Head of the Main Directorate for Servicing the Diplomatic Corps (GlavUpDK) at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

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IRREPAIRABLE LOSSES OF WORLD CULTURE... One can only hope that through the efforts of the world community, the destroyed beauty will be at least partially restored...

At one time, the outstanding architect Lev Kekushev was able to avoid the military career that his father, a court councilor, predicted for him. The son managed to convince his parents of his relevance. He became the first brilliant architect working in the Art Nouveau style. He marked all his works in Kekushev with a sign in the form of a lion.

The biography of the brilliant architect Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev is replete with dark spots. Some researchers of his work and biography believe that he was born in 1862 in Saratov. Others claim that the architect was born in Vilna, in the Warsaw province. We will build on this fact.

Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev grew up and was brought up in a military family. His father served as a major in the Pavlovsk regiment, which was stationed in the Kingdom of Poland. Apparently, it was there that he first met his future wife. Her name was Constance. She was the daughter of a Polish landowner.

In 1861, the head of the family decided to retire. He entered the civil service. His new place of work was the engineering building. Repeatedly during his career he had to move to other regions. At different periods he lived in St. Petersburg, Pskov, Novgorod, until he settled in Vilna. It was there that his son, the future architect, was born. By this time, the father of the family had risen to the rank of court councilor.

In addition to Lev Kekushev, who was the 3rd child, there were 6 more children. The family lived rather poorly. That is why parents oriented their offspring towards receiving a decent education, since it made it possible to count on a good career in the future.

First experiments

By 1883, young Kekushev Lev Nikolaevich graduated from a real school in Vilna. And since he had already shown obvious artistic abilities and hated military drill, he went to St. Petersburg. He intended to enter the Institute of Civil Engineers, which happened that same year.

Within the walls of this educational institution he studied together with such future famous architects as V. Velichkin, I. Ivanov-Shits and N. Markov.

When he was a student, Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev had to carry out a number of independent student works, where he once again showed his extraordinary painting abilities.

At the end of his studies, he defended his graduation project, which was called “Slaughterhouse in St. Petersburg.” Shortly before his diploma, he managed to find a job in the Technical and Construction Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As a result, he graduated from university in 1888, becoming a professional civil engineer. In addition, he was awarded a Silver Medal for his achievements in architecture.

After this, Lev Kekushev worked for a short time as an assistant to a city planner. However, already in 1890 he decided to retire, going to the Mother See.

Mentor

In the capital, Kekushev decided to devote himself mainly to private architectural practice. So, he began interning with the fashionable architect S. Eibushitz, and also became his assistant. In this capacity, he took part in the construction of Okhotny Ryad and the Central Baths.

By and large, these lessons from a prominent architect helped not only to crystallize the style of the young architect, but also to form a circle of potential customers, among whom were wealthy people from merchant families.

In addition, during the internship, Kekushev managed to master the skills of various applied decorative techniques. This refers to forging, electroplating, as well as etching on glass and metal.

Own architectural workshop

Kekushev completed his internship in 1893. After this, he opened his own architectural firm. Unfortunately, practically no documents about the activities of this workshop have survived. But there is information about the architects who carried out his tasks, supervised the construction of a number of construction projects and developed the decorative decoration of interiors and facades.

Such assistants were, for example, the Schutzman brothers. They, among other things, took part in the design of the Korobkov mansion and Frank’s apartment building. They also monitored the progress of construction of Nikolsky shopping arcades.

Other assistants to Kekushev were V. Voeikov and N. Shevyakov. In addition, prominent Russian architects A. Kuznetsov and I. Fomin went through the architect’s school.

In addition to working in the bureau, Kekushev worked as a teacher at a Technical School in the capital. For the needs of the institution, he managed to build a chemical laboratory.

Kekushev also taught at the Stroganov School of Art and Industry. He gave his students his lessons on silversmithing, ironsmithing and composition. Then he started working at one of the engineering schools.

For five years, Kekushev served as a district architect. And he was able to independently erect a building with elements of the Moorish style for an almshouse

Imperial order

By the mid-90s, Kekushev's first fame came. Gradually he began to transform from an ordinary architect into a famous architect. It was then that he received an order from Emperor Nicholas II himself.

During these years, preparations were being made for the official coronation of the new autocrat. For the event, it was decided to decorate part of Tverskaya Street, the City Duma building and Voskresenskaya Square. For this purpose, a corresponding competition was announced, in which the best architects took part. As a result, the order ended up in the hands of Kekushev. And after some time he successfully completed this work. Since then, the name of the architect was already known throughout the empire.

New direction

The same period in the master’s life was also marked by the fact that the architect Kekushev, whose biography is full of interesting facts, gradually switched to the Art Nouveau architectural style.

The first such work was the Khludov apartment building, which is considered one of the brightest examples of this trend. To date, this building has been rebuilt, but the facade has been preserved.

This style of the architect was supported by a number of capital developers and famous philanthropists, among whom were the Kuznetsovs, Nosovs and many others.

Savva Mamontov and apartment buildings

By this time, serious financial success had come to Kekushev. He became a popular specialist in this field. Savva Mamontov decided to involve a famous architect in his projects. For example, Kekushev took part in the construction of the Northern Railway, and also designed a water tower at one of the capital's stations.

But perhaps the most ambitious joint project was the construction of the Metropol Hotel.

At this time, Kekushev was appointed chief architect of two organizations. These were an insurance company, which planned to build luxury turnkey mansions in the Art Nouveau style, and a House-Building Society, which was engaged in the construction of the Metropol. The idea belonged to the hotel owner S. Mamontov. Unfortunately, at a certain moment he decided to give the contract to the architect V. Wilkot. Construction began, but Mamontov was unable to implement the project because he was accused of large embezzlement and arrested. After some time he was acquitted, but the business was ruined.

The new owners of the hotel again invited Kekushev so that he could rework the entire Wilkot project. They believe that Kekushev’s participation ensured the enormous success of the entire enterprise.

In addition to the construction of the Metropol, Kekushev began to build his own apartment buildings. The architect also built his own mansion on Ostozhenka. Entrepreneur G. List was delighted with the house of the architect Kekushev. He offered a huge price for the building. Kekushev could not refuse.

The culmination of creativity

Lev Kekushev's creative peak occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century. At the turn of the century, he was already considered the founder and faithful follower of metropolitan modernism. It was during this period that the Moscow architect Lev Kekushev designed and built buildings such as the mansions of I. Mindovsky and Nosov, the Iversky shopping arcade, and the Railway Station in Tsaritsyno. Also, according to his sketches, the entrance from the Arbat side and a number of premises of the Prague restaurant were designed. In addition, Kekushev had to decorate the halls of I. Morozov’s mansion on Prechistenka.

In general, architect Kekushev performed all the work in Moscow at a high level. His soul is invested in these buildings. They are worthy of attention. All of his objects are characterized by almost perfect interior design.

Age of Troubles

When the first Russian revolution broke out, public tastes began to change. If before the events of 1905 luxurious early modernism prevailed in architecture, then after that the new trend was laconic and restrained

Unfortunately, the architect Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev either did not want or was unable to work in a new direction, and his popularity and authority began to decrease.

In 1907, he was going to build a restaurant called “Eldorado”. In fact, this project was supposed to be one of the architect's biggest plans. However, another specialist began constructing the building. As a result, the construction was completed, but with large and serious deviations from L. Kekushev’s drawings. The last striking creation of the architect is the hospital in Preobrazhenskoye. It was erected on the eve of the First World War, in 1912.

Architect Kekushev carried out subsequent work without much expressiveness or individuality.

Death

After 1912, Kekushev’s fate took on a truly tragic connotation. It seemed that the architect did not take out contracts at all. He only published photographs of his old creations in various publications.

There was also no mention of him at all. True, in professional magazines one could verify that, fortunately, he was alive and sometimes moved to new apartments.

This self-withdrawal, according to the architect’s biographers, was caused by mental illness. Other historians believe that the architect Kekushev became isolated due to recent personal and career failures.

Be that as it may, when the October Revolution and the Civil War began, the master disappeared altogether. It is still unknown when he died and when he was buried... However, according to one of his relatives, Lev Kekushev died in 1917 in the hospital. And they buried him in one of the capital’s graveyards... The architect Kekushev left his buildings in Moscow as a memory of himself. You can see photos of his works in the article.

In the bosom of the family

The personal life of the architect is eventful. At the same time, family dramas also occurred. In the late 90s of the 19th century, Kekushev met Anna Bolotova, the daughter of a retired staff captain. She was born and lived in Kremenchug, in the Poltava province. At the time of the meeting, this charming girl was only nineteen. The successful metropolitan architect was already almost 35. Despite the difference, the lovers got married. This happened at the end of April 1897.

Initially, the couple were sincerely happy. They had children growing up. They owned a dacha in the magnificent Serebryany Bor. Also, a few years after the wedding, they moved to their own mansion on Ostozhenka, as previously mentioned. In fact, this “exclusive housing” spoke of a real rise in the architect’s professional career. Agree, only a few people owned luxury houses that were built according to original designs.

According to the stories of the architect’s only grandson, Kekushev had an excellent character. He was cheerful and kind to his relatives, friends, and colleagues. I loved pranks. But his real passion was always architecture. As a rule, he got up at six in the morning, after which he began to work in his office. According to the memoirs of Kekushev’s wife, he was a very enthusiastic person. And when he designed, he often exceeded the required estimates. In such a situation, he sometimes paid for the missing money himself from his wallet in order to see the realization of his plans. Unfortunately, it was precisely because of this character trait that in the future he left nothing behind him except debts.

At a minimum, family happiness lasted about ten years. In 1906, Kekushev decided to move to a rented apartment. According to unconfirmed sources, the reason for the breakup was infidelity on the part of the architect’s wife. According to researchers, she started an affair with one of her colleagues in Kekushev’s workshop.

Nevertheless, the couple repeatedly tried to improve their relationship. In any case, there was a period when they lived together again. But then they separated again. All these attempts to save the marriage were in vain.

Architect Kekushev: children

As mentioned above, the young Kekushev family had children. The first-born of the famous couple was their son Nikolai. He was born at the very end of February 1898. In 1901, the architect’s wife gave him a daughter, Tatyana. And the next year, the youngest daughter Katya was born.

Son Nikolai later became a famous aviator. In 1924 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. He then conducted military operations on the territory of the Central Asian republics.

In 1930, he worked as a flight mechanic for polar aviation. At that time he was part of P. Golovin’s crew. These pilots managed to land at the North Pole for the first time, when the expedition of the famous polar explorer I. Papanin was preparing to land.

When the Great Patriotic War and the blockade of Leningrad began, Nikolai took residents of the northern capital to the mainland on a civilian plane. He has about fifty flights to his name.

After the war, he ended up in prison, after which he was sent to a camp. When he was released, he decided to write a book about his memories. The most surprising thing is that in this work there are no details about the life and death of the famous father.

The Kekusheva mansion is one of the decorations of Ostozhenka. This house was built in 1900-1903 by the Russian architect and teacher Lev Nikolaevich Kekushev for his family, and was registered to the architect’s wife, A.I. Kekushev. However, a few years after the construction of the building, the couple divorced and the house was sold, so in the literature the mansion is also known as the “Smith House”.

Most of the mansions that Kekushev built were distinguished by the fact that they were not created to order for some family, but were completely the embodiment of the imagination and creative ideas of the architect. This was fully reflected in Kekusheva’s mansion on Ostozhenka.

It was Kekushev who is considered the first architect to build a building in Moscow in this new style for that time. In his works, the architect, unlike his colleagues who worked later, sought to follow the Franco-Belgian direction of Art Nouveau. A characteristic feature of all the architect’s works was the most careful elaboration of all the details of the interiors and the characteristic author’s signature in the form of a statue or bas-relief of a lion in the vault lock. Of course, the mansion on Ostozhenka, intended for the architect’s family, was also conceived by him in the Moscow Art Nouveau style.

The building is reminiscent of a medieval European castle - with its asymmetrical composition, elegant volumes of different heights, and a romantic faceted turret with a high tent. The special plasticity of window frames, the complex rhythm of window openings of various shapes, and ornamental reliefs indicate that the building clearly belongs to the Art Nouveau style. Brick walls have a variety of decorative textures - rustication, cladding, white plaster.

The initial design of the mansion was completed in 1900 by architect. V. Kuznetsov. Its Art Nouveau facade was not realized, but the plan formed the basis of the building, which was built under the supervision of the owner himself - the architect. Kekusheva. He developed the architectural image of the house for one of the mansions ordered by S. Mamontov (1899), intended for construction in the area of ​​Tverskoy Boulevard and Bolshaya Nikitskaya by the Northern House-Building Society. Due to Mamontov's bankruptcy, construction was frozen, but one of the unfulfilled projects, with some changes, was carried out by Kekushev in his own mansion.

The most expressive decorative element of the mansion is stucco. It was worked out with typical Kekushev care and scrupulousness. The plant patterns decorating the façade are extremely varied and elegant. The combination of white and red colors in the design of the building perfectly distinguishes the mansion from others, and the hipped tower, which rounds the corner of the facade, looks especially decorative.

On the first two floors of the house there were large rooms: a hall, an adjacent living room with a bay window in the turret, and the owner’s office. The bedrooms were located in attics. It is interesting that all these rooms surround the front light staircase on three sides, to which the porch with the main entrance adjoins.

Masks or figures of lions can be found on many buildings built by Lev Kekushev - this was his unique trademark. In his mansion, the architect installed a three-meter sculpture of a lion on the high pediment of the main street facade. The sculptural figure was made by the Austrian architect Otto Wagner, based on the Viennese lions from the dam in Nussdorf. Unfortunately, the lion that crowned the building has not survived to this day, one of the reasons for which is often cited as the fragility of the material used for its manufacture. The interior layout of the house was typical of the Art Nouveau style. All rooms were grouped around the staircase, which was the main axis of the building. Some elements of the interior, which was also designed and executed by Lev Kekushev, have survived to this day.

The building has preserved the original layout of the premises and finishing elements - wooden framed doors with mirror glass, the design of the main staircase and other details.

This mansion has its secrets, just as the life of the architect himself was filled with them. For example, it is known that already in 1903, almost immediately after the completion of construction, Kekushev’s wife put the mansion up for sale, although during this period Kekushev received payment for several completed orders at once and did not need funds. In addition, the building is named among other contenders for the house in which Bulgakov settled his Margarita.

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is visible in the background on the left.