Public figure I.Ya. Slavin and painter artist A.P. Bogolyubov – zealous guardians of the Saratov land’s good

Abstract

Alexey Bogolyubov and Ivan Slavin are the two prominent figures in the cultural and public life of the Russian Empire’s Saratov Province. The former was a well-known painter, philanthropist, and Maecenas. In 1885, Alexey Bogolyubov initiated the foundation of the Saratov Museum of Fine Arts (the first public fine arts museum in Russia) and the creation of the famous Saratov drawing school, the cradle of many Russian painters, which was opened after Bogolyubov’s death in 1897. The latter – Ivan Slavin was an eminent public figure in Saratov, the author of the memoirs about the development of his native city in the pre-revolutionary period. In his book, Slavin described the events in which he himself was directly involved as a member of the city government. The Saratov Region State Archives has preserved the documents attesting to the long-lasting friendly relationship between A.P. Bogolyubov and I.Ya. Slavin. The materials elaborate on the roles of the two personalities in the history of the Volga city, which, before World War I, was considered to be the “capital of the Volga Region”. The article tries to analyze how and on what basis did the two characters draw closer. The difference in age was not an obstacle and did not interfere with their business and friendly relationship. Alexey Bogolyubov spent most of his life abroad. Ivan Slavin, out of his convictions, never left his homeland. They were united by the Russian language, pan-European culture, their dedicated service to Russia, understanding of their duty to contemporaries and descendants. “The Sons of the Fatherland” – this noble definition can fully characterize both figures.