This project is the fourth exhibition in the series The Artist and Time, which takes place in the halls of the State Tretyakov Gallery in the framework of the programme The Tretyakov Gallery Opens Its Storerooms. The exhibition will continue to acquaint viewers with the drawing of the 19th century.

The generation of artists-the Wanderers, seems to rediscovers for themselves the art of drawing, watercolour. The graphics are not public, this technique is “for oneself” and gives the absolute freedom of expression. In this kind of art, famous and well-known painters appear in a completely different fashion – as unusual and, without exaggeration, “unknown” artists. For example, the power of Kramskoi’s colouristic talent is striking, it did not find an outlet in his pictorial practice but manifested itself in his artistic, multicoloured watercolour landscapes. Of interest is the development of the sepia technique in landscape, presented at the exhibition by the works of Lev Lagorio, Alexey Bogolyubov, Fyodor Vasilyev and Isaac Levitan. They are united by the distinct splendour of their laconic monochrome technique and virtuosity of execution based on an endless variety of techniques. The new rise in the art of drawing and watercolour at the turn of the 20th century, to a large extent, is associated with the activities of Pavel Chistyakov and was carried out by his students – Vasily Surikov, Valentin Serov.