Art exhibition at Reserve Centre of Presidential Library dedicated to history of Russia

On 7 November 2025 at 16:00, the Reserve Centre of the Presidential Library in Moscow (4 Slavyanskaya Square, Building 1) will host the opening of the exhibition "Heroes of the Fatherland in the Historical Paintings of V. V. Matorin". The event is timed to coincide with two Russian public holidays: National Unity Day on 4 November and Heroes of the Fatherland Day on 9 December.

Key moments in Russian history, national heroes and Russian culture are the themes of the work of renowned Russian artist Viktor Matorin. The artist's historical paintings serve as illustrations for scientific and educational literature on Russian history. A large collection of his paintings is housed in the State Military History and Nature Museum-Reserve "Kulikovo Field".

Three works of art by Viktor Matorin will be on display at the exhibition in the Reserve Centre of the Presidential Library: "Saint Blessed Great Prince Dmitry Donskoy of Moscow," "The Attack of the Ambush Regiment," and "Zadonshchina."

The portrait of Russian national hero Dmitry Donskoy is a key work in Viktor Matorin's oeuvre. In 1380, on Kulikovo Field, the Prince of Moscow gathered troops from various cities and regions of Rus to fight a decisive battle and stop the invasion of Khan Mamai's horde. Dmitry Donskoy in Matorin's painting is depicted as a ruler and protector of the people in his peaceful work. The prince is shown against the backdrop of the Kremlin under construction, symbolising the artist's vision of the era when the unified Russian state was created. The exhibition of the portrait in the Reserve Centre of the Presidential Library, located in the historic centre of Moscow, is a special tribute to the memory of the national hero. According to legend, the nearby Church of All Saints on Kulishki was founded by Dmitry Donskoy in memory of the Battle of Kulikovo.

"The Ambush Regiment Strikes (The Battle of Kulikovo)" is Viktor Matorin's most famous battle painting. The painting depicts the battle that took place on the banks of the Don and Nepryadva rivers on 8 September 1380. The painting is dedicated to the climax of the battle, when the ambush regiment, led by Prince Vladimir the Brave and Moscow voivode Dmitry Bobrok-Volynsky, unexpectedly attacked the enemy. The ambush regiment's strike was devastating and fatal for the enemy. The canvas conveys the suddenness of the victorious manoeuvre of the Russian troops.

The title of the painting, Zadonshchina, coincides with the title of a famous work of Old Russian literature – a tale about the Battle of Kulikovo, written in the 1380s. The work became an expression of the state of mind of contemporaries, an emotional response to a great event – the first major victory of Russian troops over the Mongol-Tatars. "Zadonshchina" is both a praise of military valour and a lament for the dead and the difficult fate of the Russian land. The canvas conveys the lyrical and epic mood of the famous work of Old Russian literature.

The exhibition "Heroes of the Fatherland in the Historical Paintings of V. V. Matorin" will also feature catalogues of the artist's works and exhibition catalogues, books about his work, and electronic content with an overview of his paintings.

The collaboration between Viktor Matorin and the Presidential Library has been developing for several years, with several joint projects successfully implemented.

In 2022, the Presidential Library in St. Petersburg opened a large-scale solo exhibition entitled "Viktor Matorin. Images of Russian History in Painting. 21st Century." An online project of the same name, dedicated to the artist's work and this exhibition, is presented on the library's portal.

The digitised series of watercolours by Viktor Matorin, Ivushki (2022), has been transferred to the electronic collection of the Presidential Library. Thanks to the library's portal, these works are now available to art lovers around the world.

On the Rutube channel of the Presidential Library, you can watch a video recording of a meeting with the artist, during which he spoke about his work, the current state of historical painting as a genre, and the development of realism in Russia. The same channel also features a video lecture entitled Viktor Matorin: Connecting the Hearts of Capitals. Remembering the Teacher," dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the birth of Ilya Sergeyevich Glazunov (1930–2017), an artist, creator of monumental historical paintings, book illustrator, master of theatrical and decorative art, People's Artist of the USSR, public figure, and educator.

The exhibition "Heroes of the Fatherland in the Historical Paintings of V. V. Matorin" at the Reserve Centre of the Presidential Library will run until 22 December 2025. The exhibition is open on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00.

For questions regarding visiting the exhibition, please contact Yulia Viktorovna Andreeva by telephone at +7 (495) 620-80-99 or by email at msk@prlib.ru.