Mikhail Matveev: “Each exhibition is a competition with circumstances and oneself”

Mikhail Matveev’s relatives and friends from Cherepovets and Kirillov, pupils and admirers of his creative activity gathered in the parvis of the Refectory on this day.

“We have been cooperating with Mikhail Alexandrovich Matveev for over 10 years. The subjects of his works have become more various within this time. Mikhail Matveev’s drawings are very interesting and mature. You can feel love for nature, Motherland and travelling in his works. He has visited different parts of Russia, has gone abroad and it has been certainly echoed in his creative activity”, noted I.A. Smirnov, deputy director of the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve.

You can really see Europe, Venice and the Kirillov district in the exhibited drawings: country houses, buildings of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and places of the artist’s native region. Looking at the pictures, you can also imagine the author’s walk of life and circle. They reflect his individuality and originality.

“It is a great piece of luck when you can celebrate your birthday in your native town”, said Mikhail Matveev. “This display presents works made in pencil, black felt-tip pen, Indian ink and pen in different years. Besides, there are some etchings. This technique originated in the 16th century. Famous Dutch artist Rembrandt worked in it. This technique is not simple, but interesting. Not so many artists use it. So I am proud of it, but I feel responsibility at the same time in terms of preservation of this technique for future generations”.

M.A. Matveev expressed his gratitude to the museum administration for a warm welcome, enduring friendship and cooperation. At the end of the official part of the event, the artist was pleased to speak with the guests, signed author’s cards for them and told them about the history of his creative alias - M. Bloc. The thing is that when he was a pupil, he became interested in the creative work of Alexander Bloc studying it at the literature lessons. Mikhail and his friends turned epigrams that were consonant with the subjects of Alexander Bloc’s works. Later on the family name of the poet of the early 20th century became the artist’s creative alias.