New Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val is a unique cultural space that houses the most comprehensive collection of Russian art from the past century. The museum complex showcases the evolution of artistic movements from the revolutionary avant-garde to the experiments of contemporary masters. Visitors can trace the creative pursuits of outstanding painters, sculptors, and graphic artists who worked during pivotal moments in Russian history.

History of the Museum Complex

The territory of today’s Museon Park began attracting the attention of city authorities in the 1920s. Initially, it was planned to organize an agricultural exhibition and expand the recreation zone, connecting Gorky Park with Neskuchny Garden. In 1937, the idea arose to build a Palace of Arts, but just a year later priorities changed — it was decided to construct a building for the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, which was being moved from Leningrad to the capital.

A Long Road to Realization

Construction began in 1938 under the project of the famous architect Alexey Shchusev. The outbreak of the Great Patriotic War interrupted the plans, and after the victory, it was decided to build the Academy of Sciences on the Vorobyovy Hills. The development of the Krymsky Val site resumed only in the mid-1950s. By the centenary of the Tretyakov Gallery in 1956, the authorities decided to construct a new museum building at this very location. The choice was symbolic — just a five-minute walk away stands the house of the Tretyakov merchant family on Golutvinsky Lane. However, three years later the territory was transferred to the State Art Gallery and the Union of Artists of the USSR.

Construction in the Style of Soviet Modernism

In 1965, the construction of a large four-story pavilion began according to the design of Ivan Zholtovsky. The building process stretched over almost two decades and was completed only in 1983. The structure, executed in the distinctive style of Soviet modernism, is a spacious rectangular volume with panoramic windows stretching along the Moscow River embankment toward the Kremlin. In 1986, the State Art Gallery and the Tretyakov Gallery were merged. From that moment, the new building became the main exhibition space of the museum for a decade — the main building on Lavrushinsky Lane was closed for major reconstruction until 1995. In 2019, the Western Wing, which had housed the Central House of Artists, also came under the management of the Tretyakov Gallery.

What to See in the Permanent Exhibition

The main museum collection is located on the fourth floor and includes over 5,000 works. Exhibits are arranged chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the development of Russian art from the 1910s to the present day. The exhibition halls occupy about 12,000 square meters.

Russian Avant-Garde — A Revolution in Art

A significant part of the exhibition is devoted to avant-garde artists who radically transformed the understanding of painting in the early 20th century. Visitors can see works by the founders of the innovative art associations “Jack of Diamonds” and “Donkey’s Tail.” Key figures of the Russian avant-garde:

• Aristarkh Lentulov — author of the famous painting “The Ringing,” conveying the dynamics of church bells through color vibrations
• Mikhail Larionov and Natalia Goncharova — pioneers of primitivism and rayonism in Russian painting
• Pyotr Konchalovsky — master of vivid color and expressive brushwork

Separate rooms are dedicated to legendary artists. Marc Chagall is represented by his masterpiece “Over the Town,” where the artist depicts himself and his beloved Bella floating above the rooftops of their native Vitebsk. The lovers are connected by a single hand — a symbol of inseparable unity and mutual need. Kazimir Malevich holds a special place in the exhibition. Two versions of his legendary “Black Square,” created in 1915 and still one of the most discussed paintings in world art, are displayed here. Works by his students who developed the ideas of Suprematism are also presented. Other significant avant-garde artists in the collection:

• Wassily Kandinsky — pioneer of abstract art and theorist of painting
• Vladimir Tatlin — creator of constructivist experimental objects
• Olga Rozanova, Alexandra Exter, Lyubov Popova, Vera Pestel — avant-garde women artists who made a major contribution to the development of non-objective art

Soviet Art: From Revolutionary Pathos to the Severe Style

The Soviet-period exhibition is divided into two parts: early Soviet and wartime art, and works from the 1960s–80s. Most of the collection consists of Socialist Realism — an artistic movement that emerged in the 1920s as a tool of state propaganda. Iconic paintings of the era:

• “Again Deuce” by Fyodor Reshetnikov — a textbook work familiar to every schoolchild
• “New Moscow” by Yuri Pimenov — a dynamic cityscape capturing the spirit of the transformed capital
• “Morning” by Tatyana Yablonskaya — a bright work celebrating the joy of everyday life
• “The Bathing of the Red Horse” by Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin — a symbolic piece reflecting revolutionary sentiments

The “Severe Style,” which emerged at the turn of the 1950s–60s as a contrast to celebratory Socialist Realism, deserves special attention. Artists of this movement depicted ordinary working people with serious, focused expressions, reflecting the hardships and dignity of labor. Key works of the Severe Style:

• “The Builders of Bratsk” by Viktor Popkov — a monumental canvas about the conquerors of Siberian rivers
• “Raftsmen” by Nikolai Andronov — a depiction of the hard work of river laborers

The halls also feature works by Alexander Deineka, whose athletic figures and optimistic compositions became a hallmark of Soviet art.

Unofficial Art and the Underground

One of the most intriguing sections of the exhibition is devoted to Soviet underground art — works created clandestinely between the 1950s and 1980s. Unofficial artists operated outside state institutions, creating art that did not conform to ideological norms. Main directions of unofficial art:

• Abstract Expressionism — free self-expression through color and form
• Conceptualism — art of ideas, where the concept outweighs visual form
• Sots Art — ironic reinterpretation of Soviet symbols and propaganda

A prominent representative of Sots Art is Erik Bulatov. His work “Clouds Are Growing” demonstrates his signature technique — text occupying half the canvas, emerging from the depth of space together with clouds, creating a multifaceted metaphor. The collection also includes works by other underground masters who explored provocative imagery and rejected official artistic principles. The exhibition reveals the full diversity of alternative artistic exploration of the time.

Temporary Exhibitions and Cultural Program

The lower floors of the museum building are reserved for temporary exhibitions. Thematic displays dedicated to individual artists or movements are regularly held here. The museum also actively presents works by contemporary authors and experimental art by young creators. In recent years, the gallery has hosted major retrospectives of Russian painting classics. Valentin Serov’s exhibition in 2016 attracted 485,000 visitors, while the 2017 exhibition marking Ivan Aivazovsky’s 200th anniversary drew a record 600,000 attendees.

Additional Opportunities for Visitors

The museum offers not only exhibitions but also a diverse cultural program:

• The Lounge on the fourth floor — a cozy space with armchairs and an art library where visitors can relax and watch documentaries about great artists
• The Small Hall — a venue for lectures by leading Russian art historians, film screenings, and concerts related to the museum’s collection
• New creative workshops — educational programs in painting, graphics, and sculpture for children and adults led by professional artists
• Master classes by prominent Russian and international contemporary artists

Practical Information for Visitors

Museum Opening Hours

The gallery is open six days a week:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday: 10:00–18:00
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00–21:00
• Monday: closed

Ticket offices and entrance to the exhibition close one hour before the museum’s closing time. Holiday schedules may vary, so it’s recommended to check the official website before visiting.

Ticket Prices and Discounts

Basic admission prices:

• Adult ticket — 600 rubles
• Students (18+) — 350 rubles
• Pensioners — 350 rubles
• Children aged 7–17 — 300 rubles
• Children up to 6 years old — free

A standard ticket provides access to the permanent exhibition. Temporary exhibitions require separate payment. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the official website or at the museum’s ticket office on the first floor. Multi-visit passes are also available. Free admission is granted to:

• Children and teenagers of specific age groups
• Pensioners on designated days
• Students of art universities
• Employees of cultural institutions
• Members of large families
• Refugees

Every Wednesday, entry to the permanent exhibition “Art of the 20th Century” is free for all visitors. Detailed information on discount conditions is available on the gallery’s website.

How to Get to the Museum

The New Tretyakov Gallery is located at 10 Krymsky Val, Moscow, within the Museon Art Park in the Yakimanka district. Convenient transport options:

• Metro: “Oktyabrskaya” or “Park Kultury” stations — 10–15 minutes on foot
• Bus: “Park Kultury” stop — 3–5 minutes on foot to the museum

Next to the museum lies Museon Park — the largest open-air sculpture museum in Russia, attracting up to 2.5 million visitors annually. Park exhibits can be touched and photographed.

The Museum’s Role in the Cultural Life of the Capital

The State Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val is the only museum in Russia of such scale that systematically presents all types, genres, and stylistic trends of 20th-century Russian art. The collection unites painting, graphics, sculpture, and unconventional materials of contemporary art. With an area of over 12,000 square meters, the museum complex is perfectly suited for large-scale exhibitions and cultural events. The building itself is an example of Soviet architecture and represents a distinct historical value. Visiting the New Tretyakov Gallery is a rich journey through the visual art of the past century. Here you can see iconic works that capture the spirit of the era, trace the evolution of artistic movements, and understand how art reflected the complex turns of Russian history. Even those who do not consider themselves connoisseurs of painting will find world-famous masterpieces by Malevich, Kandinsky, Filonov, Chagall, and many other outstanding artists.