Art collector's legacy puts generosity in the frame

In 2015, the State Tretyakov Gallery brought its collection to the National Museum of China, also located on Chang'an Avenue. The exhibition displayed the works of Peredvizhniki, or "The Wanderers", a group of like-minded artists who emerged in the second half of the 19th century to establish the Society for Traveling Exhibitions and a new style that depicts the contemporary life of ordinary Russian people.

This time, at the Capital Museum, the gallery presents an even more extensive picture of Russia, its art and its people, since the 16th century through to today, of which the core idea may be summarized in the words of Russian painter Ivan Shishkin (1832-98): "Expanse, space, land. Rye. God's grace. Russian wealth".

Shishkin, one of the most celebrated landscape artists of the Peredvizhniki movement, is recognized as the "tsar of the woods" for his fine presentations of trees and forests. His piece In the Park is on display at The Soul of Russia.

The exhibited paintings are broken down into sections not in chronological order but under four themes — the expansive and diverse landscapes of Russia, the representative faces of the country that reflect its soul, life scenes of animation and their traditions, and historic narratives.

Chen Jingjing, the exhibition's curator, says the arrangement directs audiences to "a broad view of the country and its people as a whole, epitomized by the vivid depictions from different angles by artists from different periods".

"Not only does it show the tradition of art in Russia, but also the images of Russia — natural environments, a crisscross of Eastern and Western cultures and daily scenarios — have been presented by its artists over time," Chen adds.

"These works are on show in Beijing, which allows people in China to form their own perspectives of the country," she says.