Wassily Kandinsky is the best-known artist with works in the Tretyakov Gallery; next come Kazimir Malevich, Ilya Repin and Andrei Rublev.
Our catalogue lists 679 works of the Tretyakov Gallery by 123 artists; the 25 best known are ranked below, each with the works the museum holds.
The masters of the originals
The 10 masters whose originals hang in the Tretyakov Gallery
For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.
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Expressionism
1. Wassily Kandinsky 1866–1944
1866–1944 Born in Moscow, Russia Expressionism 8 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky was born in Moscow to Lidia Ticheeva and Vassily Silvestrovich Kandinsky. By about 1896, he had moved to Munich to begin formal studies in art. After his time in Russia, where he served as the first director of the Institute of Artistic Culture in Moscow, Kandinsky moved toward the academic circles of Germany. The era of his teaching came to an abrupt end when the Nazi regime closed the Bauhaus in 1933.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Suprematism
2. Kazimir Malevich 1879–1935
1879–1935 Born in Kyiv, Ukraine Suprematism 4 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Kazimir Malevich was born near Kiev, in the Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire, around 1878 or 1879. The family moved frequently, often settling in Ukrainian villages amidst sugar-beet plantations. His formal education in the visual arts began in Kiev, where he studied drawing between 1895 and 1896. Seeking more rigorous instruction, he moved to Moscow in 1904. By 1915, Malevich had moved beyond the fractured planes of Cubism to reach a radical conclusion.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Realism
3. Ilya Repin 1844–1930
1844–1930 Born in Chuhuiv, Ukraine Realism 58 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Ilya Yefimovich Repin entered the world on August 5, 1844, in Chuguev, located within the Kharkov Governorate of the Russian Empire. In 1863, driven by an ambition to refine his talent, he traveled to Saint Petersburg. Between 1873 and 1876, his perspective expanded through two years spent in Paris and Normandy. By 1894, his influence had become institutionalized when he was appointed a professor of historical painting at the St. Petersburg Academy.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Byzantine
4. Andrei Rublev 1360–1430
1360–1430 Born in Grand Principality of Moscow, Grand Principality of Moscow Byzantine 4 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
In 1405, he joined forces with Theophanes and Prokhor of Gorodets to decorate the Annunciation Cathedral, a pivotal moment in Russian icon painting. Rublev’s artistic vision was not born in isolation; it was deeply rooted in both Byzantine traditions and emerging Russian sensibilities. The influence of Byzantine iconography is readily apparent in Rublev’s use of hierarchical composition, his careful rendering of drapery, and his adherence to established iconographic conventions.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Romanticism
5. Ivan Aivazovsky 1817–1900
1817–1900 Born in Feodosiia, Ukraine Romanticism 17 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Born on 29 July [O.S. 17 July] 1817, he was raised in an Armenian family. Under the guidance of the landscape painter Maxim Vorobyov, Aivazovsky acquired the foundational skills necessary to translate the movement of water and light onto canvas. Aivazovsky’s professional ascent was cemented by his direct connection to the machinery of the Russian Empire.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Realism
6. Ivan Shishkin 1831–1898
1831–1898 Born in Yelabuga, Russia Realism 51 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin was born on 25 January 1832 in Yelabuga, Vyatka Governorate. After his time in Kazan, he moved toward professional artistic study, entering the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in 1852. After his early schooling, Shishkin moved to the Saint Petersburg Imperial Academy of Arts, where he studied from 1857 to 1860. The final years of Shishkin's life were spent in St. Petersburg, where he remained deeply immersed in his craft.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Symbolism
7. Nicholas Roerich 1874–1947
1874–1947 Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia Symbolism 6 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian Symbolist of luminous Himalayan landscapes and spiritual, graphic compositions, known for vibrant tempera on panel and stage designs. Nicholas Roerich was born on October 9, 1874, in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Realism
8. Viktor Vasnetsov 1848–1926
1848–1926 Born in Lopyal, Russia Realism 8 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Born on May 12, 1848, in the village of Vyatka (now Kirov), Russia, Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov came from a family with strong ties to both religion and art. Vasnetsov studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, beginning in 1867, where he encountered and befriended other prominent Russian artists.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Realism
9. Ivan Kramskoi 1837–1887
1837–1887 Born in Ostrogozhsk, Russia Realism 37 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
The legacy of Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoy is found in the very fabric of Russian identity.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
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Realism
10. Vasily Vereshchagin 1842–1904
1842–1904 Born in Cherepovets, Russia Realism 45 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Born in 1842 in Cherepovets, Russia, Vereshchagin possessed a unique lineage that blended the scientific with the martial. With a father who was a geologist and a family steeped in military tradition, his early life instilled in him an insatiable curiosity for the natural world and the raw mechanics of exploration.
Originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
The masters, continued
No. 11 to No. 25: more masters of the Tretyakov Gallery
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11. Arkhip Kuindzhi
Realism
1841–1910 · born in Mariupol uyezd, Russian Empire · 11 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Luminist landscape painter of Greek descent, famous for capturing the ethereal glow of moonlit nights and dramatic Ukrainian sunsets.
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12. Mikhail Vrubel
Symbolism
1856–1910 · born in Omsk, Russia · 15 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian Symbolist known for crystalline, mosaic-like textures and mystical, folklore-inspired figures like the Seated Demon.
- Swan Princess
- Lilacs (1901)
- Seated Deamon (1890)
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13. Karl Bryullov
Romanticism
1799–1852 · born in Saint Petersburg, Russia · 32 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian Romanticist known for dramatic historical scenes and the intense eruption of Pompeii, blending neoclassical simplicity with tragedy.
- The Rider (1832)
- Bathsheba (1832)
- Pilgrims at the Entrance of the Lateran Basilica (1825)
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Russian realist and Peredvizhniki founder known for poignant depictions of peasant life and social issues through meticulous, somber detail.
- Last Journey (1865)
- Sermon in a Village (1861)
- Portrait of the Author Vladimir Dahl (1872)
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15. Isaac Levitan
Realism
1860–1900 · born in Kybartai, Lithuania · 49 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian realist known for emotive mood landscapes that use light and color to reflect the quiet, spiritual state of the human soul.
- Golden Autumn (1895)
- Above the Eternal Peace
- Haystacking (1900)
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16. Valentin Serov
Realism
1865–1911 · born in Saint Petersburg, Russia · 11 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian portraitist of psychological depth, blending Impressionistic light with realistic studies of children and the aristocracy.
- Girl with Peaches (1887)
- Portrait of Pavel Tretyakov (1899)
- Portrait of Emperor Nicholas II (1900)
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17. Vasily Surikov
Realism
1848–1916 · born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia · 15 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian Realist of monumental historical epics and dramatic scenes of national identity, known for his psychological depth and vivid detail.
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18. Zinaida Serebryakova
Mir Iskusstva
1884–1967 · born in Neskuchne, Ukraine · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian realist of intimate domestic scenes and graceful portraits rendered with sensitive light and a focus on everyday life.
- At the Dressing-Table (1909)
- At breakfast (1914)
- Green autumn (1908)
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19. Theophanes the Greek
Byzantine
1335–1410 · born in Constantinople, Turkey · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Byzantine iconographer known for expressive, rapid brushwork and luminous tempera, bringing psychological depth to sacred Russian religious art.
- Our Lady of the Don (1382)
- Madonna of Don Icon (1380)
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20. Boris Kustodiev
Realism
1878–1927 · born in Astrakhan, Russia · 6 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian realist and Art Nouveau painter of vibrant merchant life and colorful folk traditions, from bustling fairs to Maslenitsa festivals.
- Beauty (1921)
- Russian «Масленица» Pancake Week (1916)
- Moscow Tavern (1916)
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21. Alexander Ivanov
1806–1858 · born in Saint Petersburg, Russia · 7 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
- The Appearance of Christ Before the People (1847)
- Apollo (1834)
- Vittoria Marini (1850)
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23. Mikhail Nesterov
Symbolism
1862–1942 · born in Ufa, Russia · 7 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian Symbolist known for spiritual landscapes and soulful portraits, often blending religious themes with lyrical, muted colors.
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24. Henryk Siemiradzki
Academic Art
1843–1902 · born in Pechenihy, Ukraine · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Polish Academic painter of sunlit Greco-Roman scenes and dramatic biblical narratives, known for his mastery of light and theatrical realism.
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25. Konstantin Korovin
Impressionism
1861–1939 · born in Moscow, Russia · 50 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Russian Impressionist known for vibrant landscapes and atmospheric theater designs that capture the ethereal light of the Arctic and Paris.
- Portrait of Fedor Chaliapin (1905)
- Parisian Cafe
- Paris (1906)
Famous artists in the Tretyakov Gallery, No. 26 to 50
Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin1878–1939 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Alexei Savrasov1830–1897 · 16 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Vasily Polenov1844–1927 · 12 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Olga Rozanova1886–1918 · 9 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Isaak Brodsky1883–1939 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Nikolai Yaroshenko1846–1898 · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Alexey Venetsianov1780–1847 · 6 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Dmitry Levitzky1735–1822 · 6 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Vasily Andreevich Tropinin1776–1857 · 5 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Fyodor Alekseyev1755–1824 · 8 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Fyodor Stepanovich Rokotov1730–1808 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Vladimir Borovikovsky1757–1825 · 6 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Apollinari Vasnetsov1856–1933 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Pavel Fedotov1815–1852 · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Grigoriy Myasoyedov1834–1911 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Fyodor Vasilyev1850–1873 · 8 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Konstantin Savitsky1844–1905 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Vassily Maximov1844–1911 · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Apollinary Vasnetsov1856–1933 · 14 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Viktor Elpidiforovich Borisov Musatov1870–1905 · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Orest Kiprensky1782–1836 · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Nikolay Nikanorovich Dubovskoy1859–1918 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Simon Ushakov1626–1686 · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Andrei Petrovich Ryabushkin1861–1904 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Dionisius1444–1502 · 2 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
The house in figures
The masters of the Tretyakov Gallery, in figures
The masters with the most originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by movement
Women masters
The women whose originals hang in the Tretyakov Gallery
4 women masters, 14 originals, in our catalogue of the Tretyakov Gallery.
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Olga Rozanova
1886–1918 · born in Melenki, Russia · 9 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
- Suprematism (1916)
- Female Portrait (1907)
- Working Casket (1915)
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Zinaida Serebryakova
1884–1967 · born in Neskuchne, Ukraine · 3 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
- At the Dressing-Table (1909)
- At breakfast (1914)
- Green autumn (1908)
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Tetiana Yablonska
1917–2005 · born in Smolensk, Russia · 1 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
- Bread (1949)
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Antonina Rzhevskaya
1861–1934 · born in Rzhev, Russia · 1 originals at the Tretyakov Gallery
- A Merry Moment (1897)
Two houses
The Tretyakov Gallery or the Pushkin State Museum: whose originals are where
The Tretyakov Gallery
- Masters in our catalogue
- 123
- Originals
- 679
- The masters to know
- Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Ilya Repin, Andrei Rublev
- Most originals by
- Ilya Repin (58), Ivan Shishkin (51), Konstantin Korovin (50)
The Pushkin State Museum
- Masters in our catalogue
- 173
- Originals
- 317
- The masters to know
- Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet
- Most originals by
- Paul Gauguin (18), Paul Cézanne (15), Claude Monet (9)
Asked of us
Questions on the masters of the Tretyakov Gallery
Open a question to read the answer.
Who is the best-known artist of the Tretyakov Gallery?
Wassily Kandinsky, with 8 works at the Tretyakov Gallery in our catalogue (Composition VII, Moscow Environs and Overcast / Gloomy / Composition Nr. 221); then Kazimir Malevich and Ilya Repin.
What did Wassily Kandinsky paint that hangs in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue lists 8 works by Wassily Kandinsky at the Tretyakov Gallery, among them Composition VII (1913), Moscow Environs (1908), Overcast / Gloomy / Composition Nr. 221 (1917) and Odessa, Port (1898).
How many Kazimir Malevich paintings are in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue lists 4 works by Kazimir Malevich at the Tretyakov Gallery, among them Black Square (1915), Epitafios. El sudario de Cristo, Spring Garden in Blossom (1904) and Supremus No. 38 (1916).
How many Ilya Repin paintings are in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue lists 58 works by Ilya Repin at the Tretyakov Gallery, among them Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1885 (1885), Unexpected Return. (1884), Krestny Khod (Religious Procession) in Kursk Gubernia (1883) and Portrait of the Composer Mikhail Glinka (1887).
Which famous artists are displayed in the Tretyakov Gallery?
By fame: Wassily Kandinsky (8), Kazimir Malevich (4), Ilya Repin (58), Andrei Rublev (4), Ivan Aivazovsky (17), Ivan Shishkin (51), Nicholas Roerich (6), Viktor Vasnetsov (8), Ivan Kramskoi (37) and Vasily Vereshchagin (45).
Which artist has the most works in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue holds 58 works by Ilya Repin at the Tretyakov Gallery; next come Ivan Shishkin (51), Konstantin Korovin (50) and Isaac Levitan (49).
Are there Leonardo da Vinci works in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue lists no work by Leonardo da Vinci at the Tretyakov Gallery.
Is Pablo Picasso in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue lists no work by Pablo Picasso at the Tretyakov Gallery. The Pushkin State Museum holds 2.
Are there any women painters in the Tretyakov Gallery?
Our catalogue lists 4 women artists with works at the Tretyakov Gallery: Olga Rozanova (9), Zinaida Serebryakova (3), Tetiana Yablonska (1) and Antonina Rzhevskaya (1).
The Tretyakov Gallery or the Pushkin State Museum: which has the more famous artists?
The Tretyakov Gallery holds works by 123 artists of our catalogue, the Pushkin State Museum by 173. The best-known artists of the Tretyakov Gallery are Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich and Ilya Repin; of the Pushkin State Museum, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt and Vincent van Gogh.
Which countries are the painters of the Tretyakov Gallery from?
Counting the artists with two works or more, the Tretyakov Gallery holds painters born mostly in Russia (43), Ukraine (10), Russian Empire (3), Grand Principality of Moscow (2) and Lithuania (1).
Which centuries do the painters of the Tretyakov Gallery belong to?
Most of the artists with two works or more at the Tretyakov Gallery were born in the 19th century (43 artists); the earliest in this ranking is Theophanes the Greek (1335–1410), the latest Zinaida Serebryakova (1884–1967).
The house
The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, in a few lines
Origins and History of the Tretyakov Gallery
The history of the Tretyakov Gallery began in 1856. It originated from the private efforts of Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov, a Muscovite merchant who sought to assemble a national art collection. His focus remained on acquiring works by Russian artists, building a repository that reflected the development of the nation's visual language. This collection grew through his personal dedication to the preservation of local artistic expression. The institution underwent a significant transition in 1918 when the collection was declared owned by the Russian Federated Soviet Republic. This shift marked a change in the stewardship of the works, moving from a private assembly to a state-held entity. The collection has continued to expand through various historical periods, maintaining its focus on the evolution of Russian art from the 11th century through the early 20th century. The presence of these works within the gallery provides a direct connection to the past.
The Architecture of the Main Building
Located on Lavrushinsky Lane, the main building occupies a space to the south of the Moscow Kremlin. Its scale remains intimate, a quality preserved from its origins as a private residence for the Mamontov family. This domestic foundation lends the institution a sense of quietude, as if the walls themselves hold the memory of a home. The façade, designed by Viktor Vasnetsov, is a striking example of the Russian Revival style. It draws heavily from folklore and religious traditions, utilizing a Russian fairy-tale aesthetic that distinguishes it from the surrounding neoclassical architecture. Intricate details adorn the exterior, hinting at the nation's historical narratives through ornamental patterns. The architecture creates a specific atmosphere of permanence. One finds themselves moving through spaces that balance the grandeur of a public institution with the subtle nuances of a private estate.
The famous originals of the Tretyakov GalleryThe Tretyakov Gallery: the full page, 722 originalsThe museums of Moscow
How the masters of the originals are ranked
The masters with two originals or more of the Tretyakov Gallery in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.
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