The name of the artist Alexander Mikhailovich Gerasimov is inextricably linked with theater. Between 1918 and 1925, he worked as a decorator at the Kozlov Theater of Sensible Entertainment. It is worth mentioning that the facade of this magnificent building was designed by Alexander Gerasimov himself when he was still a student at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. The scenery that Gerasimov made for the performances during those years was so good that according to the artist’s contemporaries — an architect M. Donskikh and an artist D. Panin — “the audience gave it a standing ovation at the beginning of the performances.”

After leaving for Moscow in 1925, Alexander Gerasimov continues to collaborate with theaters. In 1936, the artist designed the scenery at the Maly Drama Theater of Alexander Ostrovsky. Almost every one of the artist’s best portraits of theater performers dates back to the 1930s. Gerasimov’s art career was connected with the world of theater from the beginning, and he was always interested in new productions and frequented Moscow theaters on a regular basis.

Alexander Gerasimov created the painting “The Bolshoi Theater” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Moscow. In 1947, the work was shown at the exhibition called “Moscow and Muscovites”. Alexander Gerasimov’s collaboration with the main Russian theater was extensive and special. This can be traced in such works as the portrait “People’s Artist Maxim Dormidontovich Mikhailov” or the study for the painting “The Polovtsian Dances”. The painter is also known for his series of portraits of ballerinas and performers of the Bolshoi Theater, in particular — the famous ballerina Olga Lepeshinskaya.

The watercolor painting “The Bolshoi Theater” conveys the grandiosity and beauty of the majestic building. Everything in the picture emphasizes the festive atmosphere that reigns over the city during the anniversary celebrations: powerful spotlights illuminate the Moscow sky and a large pile of cars on the square near the building highlight the greatness of the event. The painting is filled with extraordinary lightness and almost ethereal transparency, characteristic of Gerasimov’s watercolor works.

The artist’s affection for the theater lasted his whole life. It inspired him to create his best scenery and watercolor works, which are characterized by brightness and comprehensible images, dense and saturated colors, clear shapes, tangible figures, and masterful compositions.