The Peredvizhniki (The Wanderers): Pioneers of Russian Realism

The Wanderers (Peredvizhniki) were a pivotal group of Russian artists active from the 1860s to the 1890s, who sought to break free from the rigid control of the Imperial Academy of Arts. Their core mission was to achieve artistic independence and economic success by directly engaging with the public, particularly beyond the traditional art centers of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The name "Wanderers" comes from their innovative approach of organizing traveling art exhibitions, bringing art closer to the people across Russia.

John Wurdeman: An American at the Surikov

From his earliest years, art was a native language for John. Guided by an artist mother and sculptor father, his incredible talent was quickly recognized. At the age of sixteen, he entered the Maryland Institute College of Art with a full scholarship, though he quickly became disillusioned.

Russian Realism vs Socialist Realism

Early in its history, the Soviet Union embraced the bold banners and angular designs of the avant-garde. But Stalin saw this modern, abstract art as elitist, believing ordinary people couldn’t connect with it.

The Beginnings of Lazare Gallery

The story of Lazare Gallery begins not in a showroom, but with a family’s quest for a lost artistic tradition. It was a path created by a quest for beauty and a profound appreciation for a tradition of painting that had its roots in the West but had since been replaced by abstract contemporary art.