The famous Russian artist Alexander Nikolaevich Benois (1870-1960) was born in a famous family, where in addition to him there were eight more children. Mother Camilla Albertovna Benois (Kavos) was a musician by education. Father is a famous architect.
Alexandre Benois, biography (short): childhood and adolescence
The childhood of the future artist was held in St. Petersburg. There he entered the private gymnasium of Karl May, which at different times graduated from 25 representatives of the Benois clan. Upon completion of classical education, Alexander continued his studies at the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University and at the same time attended classes at the Academy of Arts. In addition, in his student years, young Benoit proved himself as a writer and art critic, supplementing Mutter's book “The History of European Art” with a chapter on Russian art. In the period from 1896 to 1898, Alexandre Benois lived and worked in France. It was there that he wrote the Versailles Series.
"World of Art"
In 1898, together with S.P. Diaghilev Alexander Benois organized the association "World of Art", which issued the eponymous publication. It included such famous artists as Lansere, Diaghilev and Bakst. The participants of the association organized exhibitions in which Roerich, Vrubel, Serov, Bilibin, Vasnetsov, Korovin and Dobuzhinsky took part. However, not all eminent artists favored the "World of Art". In particular, Repin did not really like this company, and Benoit called himself a half-educated bibliographer and curator of the Hermitage, although he took part in exhibitions.
"Russian seasons"
In 1905, Alexandre Benois left for France. There, including on his initiative, the ballet troupe “Russian Seasons” was formed, headed by Diaghilev. Benoit was its artistic director and in 1911 created the world-famous scenery for the opera "Parsley" by Stravinsky. Moreover, few know that the artist not only designed the performance, but also helped to write the libretto for the opera.
Return to Russia
In 1910, the artist published The Guide to the Hermitage. This publication became the pinnacle of his work as an art critic. A few years later, Alexander Benois bought with his money in the Crimea, in the city of Sudak, a piece of land on which he built a summer house, where he rested and worked. Pictures and sketches made there are kept in many museums in Russia. In the Soviet period, after his departure to France, when it became clear that Benoit would not return, the archive stored in the Crimean artist’s house was transferred to the Russian Museum, and personal belongings and furniture were sold at auction.
Life in Soviet Russia
After the Revolution, on the recommendation of Gorky, Alexander Benois, whose photo is presented below, worked in the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, was in charge of the Hermitage and was involved in the design of performances in many theaters: Mariinsky, Alexandrinsky and the Bolshoi Drama.
However, what is happening in the country was very upsetting for the artist. From the report of A.V. Lunacharsky on 03/09/1921, in response to secret request No. 2244, it followed that at the beginning of the revolution he supported the changes, but was subsequently upset by the life hardships and expressed dissatisfaction with the Communists who control the museum work. Further, the People's Commissar wrote that Benoit is not a friend of the new government, but as the director of the Hermitage provides great services to the country and art. Lunacharsky’s summary sounded like this: the artist is valuable in professional qualities, and he must be protected.
Departure
The ambiguous attitude to the new government predetermined the future life and work of Benoit. “The Wedding of Figaro” is the last performance in the Leningrad BDT, staged by the artist before leaving the country.
In 1926, on the recommendation of Lunacharsky, Alexander Benois, whose biography in recent years is full of tragic events, went on a business trip to work at the Grand Opera in France. Sending him to Paris, the People's Commissar was well aware of what was going on in his soul. Benoit was going to return to Russia after work, but at the end of June 1927 Lunacharsky himself arrived in Paris. From the artist’s letter to F.F. Nortau follows that it was the People's Commissar who persuaded him not to return to his homeland. In a friendly conversation, he talked about the lack of funding and the conditions for his work and advised to wait in France until the situation changes.
So Benoit did not return to Russia.
last years of life
The biography of Alexandre Benois continued to be written already far from his homeland, but by this time most of his friends and like-minded people were in Paris. The artist continued to work, designed scenery in many theaters, wrote books and paintings. Later they worked with their son Nikolai and daughter Elena. Alexander Benois died in Paris in 1960, having not lived a bit before the 90th anniversary. He left a huge number of works, publications and memoirs. Throughout his life, Alexander Benois, whose biography and work were inextricably linked with Russia, remained her ardent patriot and tried to make her culture popular throughout the world.
Personal life
Alexandre Benois was married. The children were born in the marriage: daughter Elena and son Nikolai. Both artists. N. Benois in 1924 at the invitation of the National Opera left for France. Then he moved to Italy, where for many years (from 1937 to 1970) he was the director of the production in Milan La Scala. He was engaged in the design of productions, many of which he did with his father, worked in many famous theaters in the world, and for three seasons he designed performances at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. Daughter Elena left Soviet Russia with her father in Paris in 1926. She was a famous painter, and the French government acquired her two paintings. Among her works is a portrait of B.F. Chaliapin and Z.E. Serebryakova.
In memory of the famous artist, who made a great contribution to the theatrical art, an international ballet prize bearing his name was established. In Peterhof there is an exposition dedicated personally to him.