Russian culture abroad: Exhibition “Russian presence in Nice and French Riviera. 1860-1914” in Nice

Exhibition “Russian presence in Nice and French Riviera. 1860-1914” opened in the Museum of Massena in Nice. It became clear evidence of the close historical ties between Russia and south of France.

The opening of the exposition is timed to the centenary in Nice of the construction of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The temple owes its appearance to the Empress Maria Feodorovna, mother of Nicholas II, who liked the project so that she took it under her wing. The five-domed cathedral became one of the most famous city attractions. The exposition presents drawings and first photos depicting the emergence of the “new Russian Church” in 1912. 

A centenary of the largest outside Russia Orthodox Cathedral – is a great opportunity to learn about close ties of Nice and representatives of the Russian community, who have made a significant contribution to the history of our city and contributed to its world fame. The rich Russian heritage deserves deeper study, - said the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi. 

The landscape and climate of local resorts were popular among Russian intelligentsia. There were Gogol, Fyodor Tyutchev, Anton Chekhov and Alexander Herzen.

Many prominent artists depicted at their canvases the capital of French Riviera, as well as its surroundings. Among them are Ivan Aivazovsky, Isaac Levitan, Konstantin Korovin. Konstantin Korovin often came to Nice, the paintings of whom also could be seen in the Museum of Massena. Here is presented a self-portrait of Maria Bashkirtseva, known for her diary translated from French into many languages, including Russian.

The grand success of the “Russian ballet of Diaghilev” is reminiscent due to theatre posters of Monte Carlo, made by Jean Cocteau, program performances, designed by Pablo Picasso, sketches by Ivan Bilibin and Leon Bakst.