- The latest exhibition of Russian artists was held in the city is ...

 B is in August 2003, exhibited about 100 Russian artists. Having studied the catalogs of exhibitions held in Prague, I came to the conclusion that many works of Russian artists settled in private collections, antiques. That was the beginning of my collecting activities, as was the beginning of my collection, which currently has more than 100 works by such renowned artists such as Levitan, Aivazovsky, Bogolyubov, Korovin, Benoit and many others.

- whether to keep any documents indicating how the public at that time adopted a work by Russian artists?

- Living in Prague in the late 19 th century focused on the Austrian, German, French paintings, and exhibition of Russian artists, has caused them great concern. In the first 10-15 years of 20 th century interest in the Czechs to Russian art and history of waking up in force to strengthen the Slavic identity. Should take into account the fact that in Russia there was the October Revolution, many artists moved from Russia to Europe and are demonstrating their work. As an example of interest to their creativity can result in the following figures: some of the exhibitions at that time was attended by about 20-30 thousand spectators. About them out articles in newspapers and magazines. We can say that these exhibitions have begun collecting the Czech works of Russian artists. This at this time I do I do.

- What makes it difficult to find these works?

- You have to find three, five and seven years, owners of the paintings changed - sometimes two or three times, but still find them, we conduct negotiations with them and with the opportunity to acquire this painting.

- What a find was the reason for the first joy?

- The very first and amazing picture, which was purchased by me, this painting by Alexei Petrovich Bogolyubov "Naples. Vesuvius. This happened as follows: to eliminate an antique store in Prague's Vinohrady district. I called the store owner and said that he is painting by an unknown author, signed in Russian. He offered to come and see the picture. Arriving, I found it in poor condition, very dirty form, without a frame. I saw that painting - very interesting, although not able to immediately identify its author. Only when the picture was washed, it turned out that this is - a great painting AP Bogolyubov, dated 1870

- in your collection are also paintings VV Vereshchagin. What is the background of their purchase?

- Vereshchagin, as I mentioned, has exhibited his first work in 1886, Exceptional Russian painter of battle-pieces was in the royal military school. In 1860, after finishing school, he leaves the army and going to the Caucasian war as a free artist. In my collection are two of Vereshchagin. This essay "mountain", which you can see, written in 1860, when he came to the Caucasus and was struck by its nature, this essay is permeated with admiration. The second paper relates to the Arab period of his work. It is interesting that the picture is marked stamp confirming that it belongs to the family of Count Putyatina. I think these two paintings are worthy exhibits of the collection.

- That is, they all this time, after having been exposed, were in the Czech Republic?

- Pictures Vereshchagin participated in many exhibitions at the time, but the data from the catalogs of exhibitions do not pass. They were acquired from private collections in Prague. Therefore, we hope that in the Czech Republic, perhaps, is still a lot to us unknown paintings Vereshchagin.