The outstanding painter Vasily Polenov made a lasting impact on the creative career of Feodor Chaliapin. A lawyer by profession, Polenov was well-versed in the arts and became a painter, scene designer, and theater connoisseur. He took an active part in the productions of the Moscow Private Opera, where he became acquainted with the young Chaliapin. In his memoirs “Man and Mask”, the singer wrote about Polenov, “I remember Polenov, another remarkable painter. When you look at some of his pictures, for example, a yellow water lily on a lake, you simply cannot get enough of it.”

The Feodor Chaliapin Estate Museum on Novinsky Boulevard houses Polenov’s painting “Gondola and Sailboats”. It depicts a sunny summer day. The gondolier steers the boat confidently. In the background, there is a narrow coastline, with a water surface behind it. There is also a boat with several people inside. In the blue sky, there are light white clouds. The painting is signed at the bottom right, “V. Polenov, 1897”.

Polenov traveled to Italy after visiting Munich. He went to Venice and was impressed by Florence and Naples. He visited artist studios, admired architectural monuments, and discovered new facets of the picturesque country. The artist wrote to his family, “Italy appears to me not as it is usually depicted. Somehow, I find few yellow and red colors, except at sunset, and to me, it seems rather silvery and olive — basically, gray.”

After attending one of the opera performances, Polenov sent a gift to Chaliapin — his painting “Venice”. Being ill, the singer could not leave his house to thank Polenov in person and immediately sent a thank-you note. Chaliapin appreciated the painter’s talent and warmly expressed his sincere admiration. He wrote,