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PH1724
Photographs: PH1724
Title
Vasily Ivanovich Kachalov as the Baron
Subject
Date
1902
Dimensions
height: 13.8cm
width: 8.7cm
width: 8.7cm
Provenance
Presented by Michael Gaunt, September 2023.
Other number
E0146
This postcard depicts Vasily Ivanovich Kachalov in the role of the Baron in Maxim Gorky's play 'Na Dne', which translates to 'The Lower Depths' or 'On the Bottom'.
Kachalov was an early member of the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT), which was formed in 1898. The actor Konstantin Stanislavski and his co-founder, the writer and drama teacher, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, wanted to break away from the state-run theatres, bring back high standards and professionalism in acting, and strive towards emotional truth and realism in their performances. Maxim Gorky was one of several contemporary writers that began an artistic partnership with the company. Gorky completed ‘The Lower Depths’ in 1902 and it was staged by MAT on 18 December 1902. It was the second of three plays by Gorky that the Theatre produced.
‘The Lower Depths’ follows a group of impoverished Russians living in a lodging house near the River Volga and is a social commentary on Russia’s lower classes. The character of the Baron is a former nobleman. He is cynical and mocking, and takes pleasure in belittling others, especially the prostitute Nastya who supports him with her earnings.
Kachalov is depicted sitting on a stool in front of a brick wall backdrop. He wears a black coat with white striped shirt underneath, trousers, and hand-made Lapti shoes (made from tree bark and worn by Russian peasants). His hands are placed on his left leg which is crossed over his right, and he looks directly at the viewer.
The set was designed by Viktor Andreyevich Simov who was the principal scenographer for MAT between 1898-1912.
Kachalov was an early member of the Moscow Art Theatre (MAT), which was formed in 1898. The actor Konstantin Stanislavski and his co-founder, the writer and drama teacher, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, wanted to break away from the state-run theatres, bring back high standards and professionalism in acting, and strive towards emotional truth and realism in their performances. Maxim Gorky was one of several contemporary writers that began an artistic partnership with the company. Gorky completed ‘The Lower Depths’ in 1902 and it was staged by MAT on 18 December 1902. It was the second of three plays by Gorky that the Theatre produced.
‘The Lower Depths’ follows a group of impoverished Russians living in a lodging house near the River Volga and is a social commentary on Russia’s lower classes. The character of the Baron is a former nobleman. He is cynical and mocking, and takes pleasure in belittling others, especially the prostitute Nastya who supports him with her earnings.
Kachalov is depicted sitting on a stool in front of a brick wall backdrop. He wears a black coat with white striped shirt underneath, trousers, and hand-made Lapti shoes (made from tree bark and worn by Russian peasants). His hands are placed on his left leg which is crossed over his right, and he looks directly at the viewer.
The set was designed by Viktor Andreyevich Simov who was the principal scenographer for MAT between 1898-1912.
