M.P. Chekhova’s brushes and paints

During the Melikhovo period, Maria Pavlovna took up painting. Many of her sketches feature places in the park, areas surrounding the estate and country scenes. Artists Levitan and Serov praised her works. Surikov and Braz offered to teach her. Maria Pavlovna attended evening classes at Stroganov School and A.Khotyaintseva’s studio. Together with her artist friends she painted sketches in Melikhovo. Her works portray different places within the estate, the village, as well as local people. Anton Pavlovich, who approved of his sister’s interest in painting, decided to give up his study for her and settled in her room. This is how his former study with three large windows turned into a “studio” for young artists. And Chekhov started working on his new story, My Life, in his new study.