Viktor Aleksandrovich Vesnin (March 28 [April 9], 1882, Yurevets — September 17, 1950) was a Soviet architect, one of the key representatives of architectural Constructivism and Neoclassicism. Together with his brothers Leonid and Alexander, he formed a creative partnership that entered the history of the Soviet avant-garde. Nizhny Novgorod connection: the Vesnin brothers left two significant pre-revolutionary works in Nizhny Novgorod.[1]

Origins and education

The Vesnin brothers were born in Yurevets, a small Volga town. Viktor Vesnin was born into the family of the owner of a distillery and yeast factory in Yurevets.[3] From early childhood their parents cultivated in their sons an interest in painting and architecture. All three received their secondary education at the Moscow Practical Academy of Commercial Sciences. Viktor and Alexander continued their studies at the St. Petersburg Institute of Civil Engineers, combining them with classes in private art studios. In 1904 both interrupted their studies for practical work: they worked as assistants to architects and took part in competitions. Among the buildings the brothers were involved in during this period were the Kuznetsov apartment building (1910) on Myasnitskaya Street, in the Neoclassical style, and the Main Post Office (1911) on Myasnitskaya Street, in the Romanesque-Byzantine style.[2]

Role in the creative partnership of the Vesnin brothers

Within the joint "Vesnin brigade," each of the brothers played his own role: Viktor was responsible for developing the projects from the standpoint of functionality, drawing on considerable experience in industrial construction. In the role of critic at the sketching stage, Viktor set the rational direction of their joint work: the brothers heeded his opinion, valuing his sober judgment and deep understanding of technical problems.[3] Alexander provided the artistic foundation of the style, and Leonid contributed architectural experience in residential design. The brothers taught architectural design at MIGI, MVTU, and VKhUTEMAS. A fundamental feature of the partnership was its refusal to argue over the degree of each member's personal participation: they often did not sign works if the commission was officially awarded to only one of the brothers. In 1927 Viktor Vesnin led the development of the design for the Dneprostroi Hydroelectric Station (Dneproges) and the residential district in Zaporozhye — work that the brothers themselves considered among their best.

From 1932 to 1939 Viktor Vesnin served as chairman of the Organizing Bureau of the Union of Architects of the USSR, and in 1936 he became the first president of the USSR Academy of Architecture, which he headed until 1949. In 1943 Viktor Vesnin was elected a full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences; at various times he was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 1st and 2nd convocations; his awards include the Order of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, and the Order of the Badge of Honor.[3][3][3][2]

Buildings in Nizhny Novgorod

In Nizhny Novgorod the Vesnin brothers carried out two pre-revolutionary projects. The D. V. Sirotkin mansion (1914–1915) is recognized as the finest example of pre-revolutionary architecture in Russia. In the same year, 1914, a competition design for a trading arcade was developed. Viktor Vesnin is buried at Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow; in Yurevets, the brothers' birthplace, the Vesnin Architects House-Museum has been opened.[3][1]

Sources

  1. ivanovoredthread.ru — Viktor Vesnin was born into the family of the owner of a distillery and yeast factory in Yuryevets. (archive)
  1. names52.ru — Vesnin Viktor Aleksandrovich (archive)
  2. regent-decor.ru — The Vesnin Brothers: A Creative Union at the Foundation of Constructivism (archive)