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PH1736
Photographs: PH1736
Title
Aleksandr Leonidovich Vishnevsky as Boris Godunov
Subject
Date
1898
Dimensions
height: 14cm
width: 8.5cm
width: 8.5cm
Provenance
Presented by Michael Gaunt, September 2023.
Other number
E0146
This postcard depicts Aleksandr Leonidovich Vishnevsky in the role of Boris Godunov, successor to Tsar Fyodor, in Aleksey Tolstoy's play 'Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich'.
Vishnevsky 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. Aleksey Tolstoy wrote ‘Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich' in 1868, the second of a historical trilogy that begins with 'The Death of Ivan the Terrible' (1866) and concludes with 'Tsar Boris' (1870). ‘Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich' was the inaugural performance by the newly formed Moscow Art Theatre on 14 October 1898 and the first of two plays by Tolstoy that the company produced.
The play dramatises the story of Tsar Fyodor I of Russia (1557-1598), son of Ivan the Terrible.
Vishnevsky is shown in three-quarter length, in a costume typical of a 16th or 17th century Russian statesman, court official or regent; he wears a traditional Russian caftan with voluminous sleeves and high neck ‘kozyry’ collar encrusted with pearls, a patterned bandage round the waist, an elaborately embroidered cap, a metal chain with precious stones, and gold rings on both hands. His hands are at his chest and he is looking up to the left.
Stanislavski undertook a vast amount of research to ensure that the sets and costumes were authentic and based on historic Russian architecture and clothing.
Vishnevsky 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. Aleksey Tolstoy wrote ‘Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich' in 1868, the second of a historical trilogy that begins with 'The Death of Ivan the Terrible' (1866) and concludes with 'Tsar Boris' (1870). ‘Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich' was the inaugural performance by the newly formed Moscow Art Theatre on 14 October 1898 and the first of two plays by Tolstoy that the company produced.
The play dramatises the story of Tsar Fyodor I of Russia (1557-1598), son of Ivan the Terrible.
Vishnevsky is shown in three-quarter length, in a costume typical of a 16th or 17th century Russian statesman, court official or regent; he wears a traditional Russian caftan with voluminous sleeves and high neck ‘kozyry’ collar encrusted with pearls, a patterned bandage round the waist, an elaborately embroidered cap, a metal chain with precious stones, and gold rings on both hands. His hands are at his chest and he is looking up to the left.
Stanislavski undertook a vast amount of research to ensure that the sets and costumes were authentic and based on historic Russian architecture and clothing.
