The name of Savva Mamontov is known not only in Russia, but also in other countries. Thanks to this patron, millions of tourists from all over the world have the opportunity to admire the masterpieces of Russian painting.
Biography
Mamontov was born on October 2, 1841 in a wealthy merchant family in the northern city of Yalutorovsk. In total, the family had seven children. When he was 8 years old, they moved to Moscow. Ivan Fedorovich - the father of the young Savva was a merchant of the first guild and earned a living from wine. In Moscow, he was in charge of the gubernial farm. Things were going very well and the family was well off. The Mamontovs rented a mansion on Meshchanskaya Street and regularly organized ball parties and creative evenings there.
Despite belonging to a merchant, the Mamontov family paid much attention to education, literature, theater, art and music. Savva's parents were educated and sophisticated people, which in the future greatly influenced the worldview and interests of their children. Foreign tutors were involved in the education of children.
First, Savva studied at a simple gymnasium, and then at the Institute of the Corps of Civil Engineers in St. Petersburg. Then Mamontov entered the Faculty of Law at Moscow University. However, the main hobby of the young Savva was the theater. The future philanthropist moved among the intelligentsia and went to almost all the premieres.
To continue the family business, Savva left for Baku in 1862, where he became the head of the Moscow branch of the Trans-Caspian community.
To broaden their horizons and strengthen health, Mamontov left for Italy in 1864. Another purpose of the trip was interest in the silk trade. In Milan, Savva Ivanovich was impressed by the creativity of the Teatro alla Scala.
After the death of his father, the whole business passed to Savva, who was assisted by managers. As a result, it turned out not only to save, but also to increase capital. Mamontov was engaged in many types of activities, from trading in building materials to railways and social activities.
Charity
Despite all his busyness, Mamontov did not cease to be interested in art. He communicated and was friends with many artists of that time. Interestingly, the painters not only received material assistance from the patron, they could live and work for months in the Mamontov estate. Thanks to the help of Savva Ivanovich, such geniuses of painting as Vasnetsov, Vrubel, Serov, Korovin and others "got on their feet".
In the Mamontov estate, creative evenings were regularly held, at which poems and songs were sung, which later became real classics.
In 1882 Mamontov organized his own troupe "Mermaid", which gives opera performances.
In addition to supporting the art of Mammoths, he did a lot of good deeds in other areas. One of his largest projects was the construction of a railway to Arkhangelsk.
Unfortunately, the adoption of a number of wrong decisions led Mamontov to the loss of fixed capital, even went to trial.
Personal life of the patron
Mamontov met his future wife during his first trip to Italy. Her father was a successful silk merchant, because the marriage with Elizaveta Sapozhnikova was not only happy, but also very successful for business.
The couple had five children. By the way, their daughter Vera is depicted by Serov in his world famous painting "Girl with Peaches".
The family estate of the young Mamontov family was the Abramtsevo estate.
Mamontov died on April 6, 1918 and was buried in his former village of Abramtsevo.
