Russian neoclassical architect, graphic artist, architectural theorist and educator
Vasily Bazhenov
Bazhenov and his family, 1770s
Born
(1737-03-01)March 1, 1737
Moscow, Moscow Governorate, Russian Empire
Died
August 13, 1799(1799-08-13) (aged 62)
Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
Education
Member Academy of Arts (1765)
Alma mater
Imperial Academy of Arts
Known for
Architecture
Notable work
Pashkov House, Tsaritsyno Park
Vasily Ivanovich Bazhenov (Russian: Васи́лий Ива́нович Баже́нов; 1 March (N.S. 12) 1737 or 1738 – 2 August (N.S. 13) 1799) was a Russian neoclassical architect, graphic artist, architectural theorist and educator. Bazhenov and his associates Matvey Kazakov and Ivan Starov were the leading local architects of the Russian Enlightenment, a period dominated by foreign architects (Charles Cameron, Giacomo Quarenghi, Antonio Rinaldi and others). According to Dmitry Shvidkovsky, in the 1770s Bazhenov became the first Russian architect to create a national architectural language since the 17th century tradition interrupted by Peter I of Russia.[1]
Bazhenov's early success was followed by a tragic professional and private life. His two main construction projects were abandoned for political or financial reasons. His magnum opus, the neoclassical Grand Kremlin Palace, was cancelled shortly after groundbreaking. The imperial palace in Tsaritsyno Park fell victim to the Battle of the Palaces; Bazhenov's palace core was demolished on the orders of Catherine II. Another project, for the Moscow State University building, ended in a bitter conflict with Bazhenov's former benefactor Prokofi Demidov and led Bazhenov into bankruptcy. Before his death, Bazhenov implored his children to stay aside from the treacherous construction business.
Bazhenov's legacy remains debated. The attributions of Pashkov House and lesser projects to Bazhenov, backed by a sketchy paper trail, deductions and conjectures, are uncertain to the point where his life and work became subject of conspiracy theories.[2] Even his place of birth and the location of Bazhenov's grave are unknown. His life story, as reconstructed by Igor Grabar and popularized by the historians of the Soviet period, is regarded by modern critics as the "Bazhenov myth",[3][4] and even most recent academic research[5] fails to replace this myth with a reliable biography.[4]
^Shvidkovsky, 2007 p. 260
^For example, Belyavsky, M (1969). "Tainstvenny 18 vek (Таинственный 18 век)". Znanie - Sila (in Russian) (1).
^Sokolov, Boris (2002). "Review: Yury Gerchuk's 2001 edition of Vasily Bazhenov (in Russian)". Nashe Nasledie. 62–64.
^ abSedov, Vladimir (2002). "Review: Yury Gerchuk's 2001 edition of Vasily Bazhenov (in Russian)". Retrieved 2009-09-11.
Vasily Ivanovich Bazhenov (Russian: Васи́лий Ива́нович Баже́нов; 1 March (N.S. 12) 1737 or 1738 – 2 August (N.S. 13) 1799) was a Russian neoclassical...
The most influential Russian architects of the eighteenth century; VasilyBazhenov, Matvey Kazakov, and Ivan Starov, created lasting monuments in Moscow...
the task to her court architect, VasilyBazhenov, to develop a project for a summer residence near Moscow. Bazhenov designed the palace in the Neo-Gothic...
Mokhovaya and Vozdvizhenka streets. Its design has been attributed to VasilyBazhenov. It used to be home to the Rumyantsev Museum—Moscow's first public...
and planners, among them William Heste, Matvey Kazakov, Ivan Starov, VasilyBazhenov, Petr Nikitin and others. Following the October Revolution and the...
projects involving the most illustrious architects of the period – VasilyBazhenov, Vincenzo Brenna, Charles Cameron, Matvey Kazakov, Giacomo Quarenghi...
Russian Academy. The building was completed in the 1790s. Its author was VasilyBazhenov, the design of the building was corrected by the hostess herself. Toward...
Treaty of Kucuk-Kainarji. Construction management was entrusted to VasilyBazhenov but was soon handed over to Matvey Kazakov. Thanks to the activity...
A number of researchers called the famous architect of the project VasilyBazhenov, others attribute the construction to M. F. Kazakov. There is no consensus...
and the Imperial Academy of Arts. Pashkov House by VasilyBazhenov Marble Bridge, 1772, by Vasily Neyolov Tauride Palace, 1783-1789, by Ivan Starov Marble...
Sheremetev himself. Igor Grabar attributed design of the palace to VasilyBazhenov; this viewpoint is discarded by modern studies as unsubstantiated....
The most influential Russian architects of the eighteenth century; VasilyBazhenov, Matvey Kazakov, and Ivan Starov, created lasting monuments in Moscow...
builder of Elisseeff Emporium and the Buddhist Temple in St Petersburg VasilyBazhenov, architect of the Tsaritsyno Park and the Russian State Library Joseph...
1790s the street acquired monumental early neoclassical buildings by VasilyBazhenov and Matvey Kazakov. In 1812, Kazakov's Moscow State University burnt...
disciples, some of whom went to Paris to study with him directly, included VasilyBazhenov, Ivan Starov, and Andrey Voronikhin. Catherine the Great offered him...
years. Melensky began his career as an assistant to Matvey Kazakov, VasilyBazhenov, and Giacomo Quarenghi and was involved in the construction of the...
The Summer Garden. Saint Michael's Castle, built in 1797-1801 by VasilyBazhenov and Vincenzo Brenna for Emperor Paul I. No. 2 – the mansion of Friedrich...
until 1773, when Catherine the Great engaged Vasili Bazhenov to build her new residence there. Bazhenov produced a bombastic Neoclassical design on a heroic...
Vasily Maksimovich Vlasov (Russian: Василий Максимович Власов; born 27 June 1995, in Moscow) is a Russian politician. He is a deputy of the State Duma...
1784; in the end, Paul relied on Brenna and his trainee Carlo Rossi. VasilyBazhenov was involved in one of earlier abortive projects; this information...
Vasili Bazhenov’s Great Kremlin Palace project.[specify] Both architects were the same age—30 years old—but had very different educations. Bazhenov received...
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