text: Grigory Kozlov
Text: Konstantin Akinsha
Nikolai Khardzhiev - one of the leading scholars of Russian vanguard beginning of the century - in 1993 went to Holland, as it turned out, forever. His renowned archive, collected them for many decades and includes not only documents, but also masterpieces of fine art, has been illegally exported from Russia.
Timeline
Autumn 1992 - the famous Dutch Slavicist Willem Veststeyn comes to Moscow and met with Nikolai Khardzhiev. Scientific Requests Veststeyna help him emigrate to the West.
Spring 1993 - Veststeyn turn to galeristke from Cologne Gmurzhinskoy Christine and brings her to Moscow to Khardzhiev.
September 30, 1993 - Christina Gmurzhinskaya signed a contract with Khardzhiev and Chagoy to pay them on arrival in Amsterdam, 2.5 million dollars.
November 8, 1993 - Khardzhiev and Chaga travel from Russia to the Netherlands at the invitation of the University of Amsterdam.
February 22, 1994 - at Sheremetyevo airport detained Khardzhiev part of the archive.
April 19, 1994 - begins a series of publications in the newspaper "Izvestia" on the illegal export of archives and collections Khardzhiev from Russia.
September 2, 1994 - signed contract for the sale Khardzhiev and Chagoy Gallery Gmurzhinskaya "6 Malevich's paintings of the 2.5 million dollars.
September 9, 1994 - in the newspaper "Izvestia" about the merits of the gallery "Gmurzhinskaya" in the popularization of Russian avant-garde. Gmurzhinskaya said that she bought paintings Khardzhiev in Amsterdam.
July 27, 1995 - Khardzhiev is a testament, in which appoints his successor Boris Abarova.
November 7, 1995 - Lydia Chaga killed in a house on Olympia Plain.
November 9, 1995 - registered fund Khardzhiev - Chaga "
November 1995 - the newspaper "Moscow News" begins a journalistic investigation.
December 8, 1995 - Khardzhiev gives his last interview.
June 10, 1996 - Khardzhiev died.
September 1996 - new head of fund Khardzhiev - Chaga Michael Privat Charter change fund. November 1997 - at the stand of the gallery "Gmurzhinskaya" at the Cologne Art Fair appear gouaches Lisitsky sold her stock.
January 1, 1998 - Boris Abarov hiding from $ 5 million. Early April 1998 - on the recommendation of the Dutch government during the reign of the Fund introduced former government officials.
In the West, these values have become the subject of greedy interests of various art dealers. Mysterious and dramatic fate of the archive Khardzhiev spawned an incredible array of journalistic speculation.
After the death of 93-year-old scholar of his story finally became a tangled mystery.
We have tried now as much as possible to provide all of the presently known facts and evidence.
The most important of them - was never published until now Nikolai Ivanovich's last interview he gave six months before his death. In it he describes what happened to the archives, the creation of which was the purpose of his life.
Twenty-second in February 1994 the customs Konstantin Kovalenko drew attention to the passenger, who was at the counter customs at the airport "Sheremetyevo" accompanied by two policemen. The passenger with the guard, who was an Israeli citizen Dmitry Jakobson, was somewhat bulky suitcases. Kovalenko decided to inspect them and found many old manuscripts and photographs. Having one of them Mayakovsky, the customs duty has caused art critic Irina D..
That has determined that the suitcases are manuscripts of the poet Velimir Khlebnikov, letters of Kazimir Malevich, the paper Osip Mandelstam and Anna Akhmatova and rare materials on the history of Russian Futurism.
All of this was confiscated. Jacobson, who claimed that the bags do not belong to him, and he only asked to take them to Germany, was released and flew to Dusseldorf.
After inspecting the papers revealed that they originate from the archives of literary critic and art historian Nicholas Khardzhiev. In November 1993, this famous scientist had left with his wife Lydia Chagoy in Amsterdam at the invitation of the Institute of Slavic Studies, University of Amsterdam. Khardzhiev was 90 years old, and his wife of 83 years.
Among the papers seized from Jacobson, was found agreement in which Christina Gmurzhinska (owner of one of the world's largest galleries, "Gmurzhinska" selling Russian avant-garde, which she had inherited from the mother Antonina) promised to pay Khardzhiev Chage and 2.5 million dollars after arrival in Amsterdam. Agreement was drafted on Sept. 30, 1993 in Moscow and signed Gmurzhinskoy, Chagoy, director of the gallery Gmurzhinskoy Mathias Rastorferom and professor of the Institute of Slavic Studies, University of Amsterdam Willem Veststeynom.
From other documents found there, it was possible to conclude what Gmurzhinska promised to pay so much money. It was a rough draft of the contract, which read: "I H.N.I. (Khardzhiev Nikolai Ivanovich. -" Results ") is transmitted to the eternal storage K.G.B. (Christine Gmurzhinskoy-Bsher. -" Results "), six Manuf. Kaz.M. (Kazimir Malevich. - "Results"). " Here are schematic drawings of the six works by Malevich: 4 Suprematist paintings and gouaches 2.
For reference: the lowest price one Supremacist Malevich painting worth on the global art market for more than 2,5 million (as, indeed, even today). And then 6 first-class products.
April 19 newspaper Izvestia published an article about the illegal export of archives and collections Khardzhiev of the country. A certain "German from Cologne, was named the organizer of the" unprecedented in its scale smuggling operation. Started a bitter controversy in the press about whether the law is valid, according to which even such a famous scientist, as Khardzhiev has no right to take out my archives from the country and forced to resort to a "prohibited methods".
At that time no one knew exactly which were the values in question, even though everyone knew that the value of documents, manuscripts and works of art collected Khardzhiev, very large. The quality and size of the archive gave the idea that part which was delayed by Russia's customs - 3,5 thousands of documents. Composition is the art collection was completely unknown.
Only three years later, in November 1997, a Dutch journalist Hella Ruttenberg published in the Volkskrant newspaper excerpts from the collection Khardzhiev. It contains 1,355 titles of drawings and paintings: dozens of works leading Russian avant-garde artists, Larionov, Goncharova, Matyushina, Filonov, Tatlin, Lisitsky and many others. Including 7 of Malevich's paintings, 140 drawings and 20 of his gouaches.
Khardzhiev
Nikolai Khardzhiev born in Kahovka in 1903, studied at the Odessa University Law School. However, he did not become a lawyer, and began writing and visual art. In 1928 he moved to Moscow, where he soon became known in the circles of the avant-garde artists and poets as a kind of chronicler of the movement. Khardzhiev friends with Malevich, Harms, Zabolotskii.
In the early 30-ies he proceeded to create a "History of the Russian avant-garde." After the "formalism" has been officially condemned, Khardzhiev minimized his contacts with the outside world, but continued to collect and study materials on the Russian Avant-garde.
Occasionally, he still managed to publish their research. For example, in 1940, he prepared a collection of unpublished works of Khlebnikov. As the biggest connoisseur of creativity Mayakovsky Khardzhiev actively participated in the preparation of the collected works of the poet. During the thaw Khardzhiev as curator of the Museum of Mayakovsky in Moscow organized a series of exhibitions of avant-garde artists. For the first time after 20-ies viewers saw pictures of Tatlin and Malevich, Matyushina and Filonova, Guro, Ender, Chekrygin and Larionov. This was the beginning of international glory of Russian avant-garde. Overseas Khardzhiev considered the best expert on this flow.
Khardzhiev had the talent to survive in any conditions. He was extremely suspicious and mistrustful. Its archives and collections were legends, but nobody ever saw them completely. Flats Khardzhiev visited a very limited circle of people. At his door was written in chalk: "Please do not disturb". Once, even a kind of Moscow professor, one of the best specialists in the vanguard, was forced to talk to Khardzhiev through a door chain, standing on the landing. He never managed to convince the owner to let him.
Khardzhiev was not a collector - he was a researcher. Archives and collections have been useful to him as a working tool. He never bought from artists of their works: they gave their best work a man who understood their work as anyone else.
As a researcher, rather than the usual art collector, much less a salesman on the art, Khardzhiev could not assume that the drawings and paintings, which he collected all his life, ever become so important to the art market. By early 90-ies on the art market exploded with a series of scandals proddelkami works of Russian avant-garde artists (see "Results" № 21, 1996). It became more valued undisputed works. Academic reputation Khardzhiev was impeccable, and the origin of things from his collection was no doubt. The painting of Khardzhiev "was considered absolutely" clean ". And the price of "pure" paintings by Malevich, for otsekam Espert, can now rise to 10 million dollars. His drawings are about 100 thousand, gouaches - from 300 thousand dollars to a million. In hardzhievskoy collections there were hundreds. It is obvious that those who offer this collection for sale, will be master of the world market of Russian avant-garde.
The position of the Federal Security Service:
Investigation Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia criminal case, brought up on charges of attempted smuggling from Russia of the literary archive of the famous Moscow art critic and collector, NI Khardzhiev. During the investigation of the criminal case being investigated all the circumstances connected with the fate of the vast collection of art and literary archive of the collector.
The objectives of the investigation of this criminal case is a complete, comprehensive and objective disclosure of the crime, the establishment of all those involved in its commission and to bring them to justice and return to Russia contraband removed from her creative heritage Khardzhiev. In this regard, Russia's FSB has been working in close contact with the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, as well as mnterpolom and law enforcement agencies of Germany and the Netherlands.
The extended solution of the above tasks primarily driven by the reluctance of the Fund "Khardzhiev - Chaga" in the Netherlands to return cultural property belonging to Russia.
The very course of a criminal investigation and established him in the circumstances and the person at present constitute the secret of investigation. However, its completion we will be given full information about its results.
Check out
For many years, scientists have wanted to go to the West. But he could not leave his papers and take him by the law was impossible. Although precedents. For example, the largest collector George Costakis received permission to export to Greece part of its collection of Russian avant-garde. For this he had to "donate" the Tretyakov Gallery many valuable works. Khardzhiev believed that he do not get: he was a foreigner, as Kostaki. In addition, the scientist did not want to give the State, which for many years pursued the avant-garde artists, none of them works.
Several times Khardzhiev trying to find someone prepared to take the archive and collection of the country. But it was dangerous. One of his friends, who had the opportunity to organize Khardzhiev move to the West, openly told him that none of the people, respecting and valuing the scientist does not assume responsibility for such an adventure.
Khardzhiev not receded. In an effort to leave his wife supported Lidiya Chaga. A relative of the famous artist Dmitry Mitrokhin, herself an excellent sculptor, she knew what an outstanding role played her husband in the study of Russian avant-garde. Strong-willed and energetic man, Chaga believed that aims to protect Khardzhiev from social ills, and saw in the move to the West a unique opportunity to create a scientist normal working conditions.
In his letters to his friend in Moscow, written in the summer of 1994 and subsequently published in the newspaper Moscow News, Chaga told how Khardzhiev find people who have agreed to arrange his departure from Russia.
"In the autumn 92 года came to us, Professor W. (Willem Veststeyn from the Institute of Slavic Studies, University of Amsterdam. -" Results ") with a proposal to publish all the material for the anniversary of Mayakovsky and asked if I would come NI (Nikolai Ivanovich Khardzhiev. - Summary ") for a visit. NI said that the age of the guests ride it was too late, as well as the life of our labor and its print forever with distortions, it would have arrived for good, leaving his collection to museums, archives and institutions, and he would have edited his work, how many have time. VI twice came to us with the Dutch museum and found that all of this. In the spring (1993. - "Results"), they brought us Christine (Gmurzhinsku. - "Results") was found that Bukharin knew the deceased mother of Christine, which was a decent man - hence the trust arose. entered into an agreement, it is very advantageous for them: they have 6 best kept things so that 2 of them we sell them, the remaining 4 are transmitted (of the same. - "Results") in "everlasting possession", ie without the right to sell, but with the obligation to convey to the museums. For this was promised to guarantee the safe delivery of the archives and several more pictures, less preserved ... The professor came to VA regularly and helped to pack and align NI Archive - 280 folders, where the manuscripts have been invested, and drawings and watercolors, and precious books. Incidentally, V. compiled a list of the contents of folders ... part of the library, too, promised to bring and took a lot of luggage. .. " (MN, 1996, № 30)
According Khardzhiev, Gmurzhinska and director of its galleries Mathias Rastorfer personally carried the value of the apartment elderly scientist, not trusting anyone. First, archives and collections located in a specially equipped apartment-safe on Tverskaya Street in Moscow, and then parts were sent abroad.
Khardzhiev agreed to leave Russia only if he receives the news that the archive and the collection has arrived safely in the West. He assured that the transport was successful, and in November 1993, he and his wife arrived in Amsterdam at the invitation of the Institute of Slavic Studies.
Unfortunately, the old scientist and his wife did not know what they could legally take and archive pictures in Holland and use them until they die. In April 1993, came into effect a new law of Russia on the import and export of cultural property. Under the law can be taken out archival documents and works of art abroad for any length of time on the condition that they return to Russia. And to find people in Russia who would pay for six paintings by Malevich 2,5 million dollars to ensure that elderly Csete tranquil old age in the Netherlands, it would be much easier than access galeristke from Cologne. But surrounded Khardzhiev not find anyone to explain it to him. However, many close to Khardzhiev people believe that, even knowing of the existence of such a law, it would not be trusted to Russia's government, much domestic business even more.
Christina Gmurzhinska-Bsher
was born in Breslau. Grew up in Cologne. She studied art history in Paris. He said in Russian. Now - one of the most influential figures in the market of Russian avant-garde. Her mother, Antonina one of the first realized the commercial significance of the Russian avant-garde and established a gallery in Cologne, Gmurzhinska. Starting in the 60 years, practically from scratch, she made a fortune in trade works by artists who were in the USSR contemptuously dubbed "formalists. Christina Gmurzhinska started working in the gallery mother in 1973. Family or Kids business passed to her after her mother's death in 1986.
Amsterdam. Hilton Hotel and a house in Olympia Plaine, 55
November 8, 1993 the two old men for the first time in his life left the country. The first unpleasant surprise was that, despite the promises, pictures and archive in the Netherlands was not there. According to the fungus, published in the same Moscow News, books and paintings were the Germans, and the entire archive in Moscow remained safe-house where all ransacked, and shared - that someone is now not prove ... " (We can assume that in this moment of the archive and split off the part that was later detained by the Customs.) NI in Amsterdam to discover that nothing has arrived, became ill with jaundice and started shouting: "Where are my papers and cried all the time. "
Khardzhiev chaga and settled in the Hilton Hotel, expensive and of little to people who do not speak any foreign language. Financially, older people were depending on Gmurzhinskoy: "... we opened the account and offered to spend as much as possible (and Christina will clean up his paintings and drawings).
Only after the Moscow customs officials impounded part of the archive Khardzhiev and found a paper on the agreement with Gmurzhinskoy, the remnants of collections and archives were transferred from Germany to Amsterdam.
By this time, an elderly couple - at the expense of those same 2.5 million, of which agreed with Gmurzhinskoy in Moscow - bought a house on a shady street Olympia Plain. But moving to Olympia Plaine not made the life of two elderly people had difficulty walking easier. Khardzhiev and Chaga need of care, the people who could provide them with basic contact with the outside world.
A communication was not. It seemed that Khardzhiev and his wife live in an impenetrable wall. First settled with Russian family Yegorov, who had nursed spouses. But soon Egorovs were expelled, as Khardzhiev and Chaga believed that they were related to Gmurzhinskoy. That Cologne galeristku mature wife accused in all their misfortunes.
Nicholas Ilyin
A descendant of Russian emigrants of the first wave. Lives in Frankfurt. He said in Russian. Previously - General Manager of Public Relations German airline Lufthansa. He took an active part in organizing the largest exhibitions of Russian avant-garde, for example, "Great Utopia", shown in Europe and America. He has extensive contacts in the Ministry of Culture of Russia. In 1996, a respectable German magazine "Focus" Ilyina accused that he was using his official position, through front companies in Finland has sold rights to the exhibition of the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum in Museums United States and Western Europe. In early 1998, this theme was continued by the magazine "Der Spiegel". Now Ilyin - European Representative for Public Affairs American Foundation Solomon R. Guggenheim.
No sooner was shocked by the news that part of the archive delayed at customs, as in Russia's press published the sensational publication of "case Khardzhiev." Then it turned out that the visa for which Khardzhiev and Chaga have arrived in Holland, is overdue and necessary to obtain a residence permit from local authorities. To make matters worse, when the couple took up parsing of archives and collections, which arrived in Amsterdam, they have the impression that the folders that are packaged them in Moscow, the lack of many valuable documents, drawings and books. Guilty of "misappropriation" the archives and collections they considered Gmurzhinsku.
The remaining papers and pictures were placed in one of the banks in Amsterdam. Here, according to Khardzhiev, there was another loss. Later, he said that Professor Veststeyn, who had access to a bank safe-deposit box, subscribed to the name Khardzhiev, giving some valuable materials, including manuscripts Klebnikov.
Khardzhiev and his wife realized that they were pawns in a strange game. Once in the Netherlands without a residence permit, without money, the archive and collections, they also accused Russia of violating the law. Lydia Chaga has given an interview respectable Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblat. A few days later she excitedly phoned the newspaper and prohibited from publishing their own words. In the newspaper staff had the impression that the elderly woman refused to be interviewed by someone's pressure.
negotiations
Elderly Couple had to lead complex negotiations, and at once with two partners: the gallery "Gmurzhinska and the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
The talks preceded by a violent campaign in the press. In "The News", told about the illegal export of collections, attacked Russia's intellectuals. They all came to the defense Khardzhiev, arguing in the pages of Russian Thought "and" Literary Gazette "that he had every right to take their collections and archives. (Intellectuals did not notice that in defending Khardzhiev, they helped Christine Gmurzhinskoy.)
Negotiations Gmurzhinskoy to pay 2.5 million for the paintings of Malevich complicated by the ambiguity of the situation of archives and collections. According to the lawyer Gmurzhinskoy now, the collection was taken in Amsterdam in full, and in June 1994 was its inventory.
However Khardzhiev and Chaga believed Gmurzhinska returned not all. The couple could not openly accuse galeristku, without going into details of the illegal export of treasures from Russia, part of which, moreover, was detained by Customs and did not get to Amsterdam. Gmurzhinska is sought as soon as possible to formalize in Amsterdam purchase of paintings by Malevich, already all 6, with no conditions for transfer of 4 of them on an everlasting possession. "
Negotiations with representatives Gmurzhinskoy lasted several months. After another round of Chaga wrote to her friend in Moscow: "The meeting took place, but complicated by the new shit, which suggests that either they think we are quite survivors from the mind or exceeded all the limits of audacity ... Even this Ilyin, with its strong ties."
Nicholas Ilyin elected as its mediator in the negotiations with the scientist and his wife, the Ministry of Culture of Russia. A descendant of Russian emigrants of the first wave, the nephew of the famous philosopher Ilyina, while he was general manager of Public Relations Lufthansa and was responsible for sponsorship of cultural projects. Thanks to this Ilyina were extensive contacts in the ministry. The old men, terrified by the possibility of criminal prosecution by the Russian authorities in connection with the illegal export of values, agreed to use the services of people close to the ministry. Moreover, according to Khardzhiev, energetic person Lufthansa introduced him ill-wisher Gmurzhinskoy.
Willem Veststeyn Professor, head of Russian literature mnstituta Slavonic Studies, University of Amsterdam. Specializes in works of Velimir Khlebnikov. He said in Russian.
Ministry of Culture insisted on "the immediate transfer of the archive Khardzhiev the Embassy of Russia in the Netherlands" in exchange for ending the criminal investigation of illegal export of cultural property. In addition, the Ministry called on the scientist to give the archive, a detainee at the Sheremetyevo customs office, Rossiyskomu State Archive of Literature and Art (RGALI). Confiscated archive already belonged to Russia, but the fact of donation was needed to calm passions. (In the end Khardzhiev made this gift, stipulating that "closes the archive to researchers for 25 years.)
From correspondence with the Ministry Khardzhiev Chage and it became clear that it is a strange way binds the outcome of negotiations with the position of spouses in relation to their current environment.
(In one of his letters to Khardzhiev then Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia Mikhail Shvydkoi stressed: "I must be sure that those people that helped you recently, did not suffer." Perhaps the vice. Minister had in mind Veststeyna, Gmurzhinsku and its assistants.)
September 2, 1994 in Amsterdam, was issued a contract for the sale of the notorious Malevich Gallery Gmurzhinska. Prudent galeristka included in the contract item about the possibility of "selling the future of these papers in the collection - museums and private collections - with the necessary condition that the buyer can appreciate the cultural and historical value of items purchased. Price for all 6 pictures remained the same - 2.5 million dollars!
Boris Abarov
The nephew of the famous Moscow Art actor Boris Petker. A graduate of the Directing Department GITIS. Assistant props on the set of "Stalker Tarkovsky. Then the Department of Culture Krasnopresnensky District Komsomol Committee. In 1980 he emigrated from Russia. Became acquainted with Chagoy in 1994. Since 1995, becoming the main "domoupravitelem" in the family Khardzhiev - fungus. Bequest Khardzhiev became his heir. After the death of Khardzhiev headed the fund in his name. According to the Dutch press in early 1998, fled with $ 5 million. At present, presumably living in New Zealand.
Rather Khardzhiev was forced to sign a contract, as it told us the head of the Department of Conservation of Cultural Property to the Ministry of Culture of Russia Valery Kulishov: "We have a copy of the contract between Khardzhiev and Christine Gmurzhinskoy committed on Sept. 2, 1994, ie after removal of the spouses in the Netherlands. The subject is 6 works by Kazimir Malevich totaling $ 2.5 million. Because of its content, we can conclude that Gmurzhinska already paid for all costs associated with furnishing the spouses in the Netherlands (house in Amsterdam, legalization, through a bank, etc.), which amounted to approximately 600 thousand U.S. dollars ... The balance of $ 1.9 million was to be transferred to the Khardzhiev, after he had a handwritten signature to authenticate each of their paintings sold. Consequently, the couple could not independently manage their own money so far, has not fulfilled the conditions Gmurzhinskoy.
A week later - the first time since the scandal with the collection - Gmurzhinska silent on this in the press. In that same newspaper Izvestia, which began a journalistic investigation of the "unprecedented smuggling operation and Gmurzhinskoy role in its organization, September 9, published an article by Eugene Bovkun" Khardzhiev presents its own archive of Russia. " But it it was not so much about Khardzhiev much about the merits of the gallery "Gmurzhinska. (Ministry of Culture announced elderly Couple that article Bovkun was the result of his efforts.) Owner of the gallery itself hastened to declare that it had bought paintings from Khardzhiev only after his move to Holland.
How to assure those who communicate with Khardzhiev and Chagoy while old people have the impression that Moscow officials blanch Gmurzhinsku and Ilyin was with her in the conspiracy.
They did not trust him with their letters. Further negotiations had to the Ministry and Russia's diplomats in the Netherlands.
Gradually, the negotiations reached an impasse. Khardzhiev not agree to return to Moscow his collection. He was ready for a symbolic gesture - a gift of two or three paintings. Ministry of similar turn of events is clearly untenable. Ministry reminds the scientist and his wife about the "seriousness of the situation" and even the possibility of connection to the investigation of Interpol. It is hard to imagine how long the war would last letters, but at this time in Amsterdam, the tragic events occurred.
Jan Buze
Amsterdam businessman and adviser on pension issues. Financial Advisor Khardzhiev was due to his partiality for water transport. In house Khardzhiev fell during the life of Lydia fungus. (Her father, a sailor took his baby daughter in swimming. Since then, it dreamed to buy his own boat and asked Abarova help her. He readdressed the request Buze. Yacht purchase failed, but the old couple became advisor to the person's face, knowing nothing about art in general and the Russian Avant-garde in particular.) Nov. 9, 1995 completing registration fund behalf Khardzhiev and in January 1996 became an authorized Abarova. According to press reports, at the present time, earning at the history of archives and collections Khardzhiev million dollars, bought a villa in France on the Cote d'Azur and went there.
Accident or murder?
In 1995, the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, organized the exhibition of Kasimir Malevich. It was organized in cooperation with the State Russian Museum, which provided the lion's share of the exhibits. However, the curators of the Russian Museum were not notified of one picture, which their German colleagues have included in the exhibit. It was "Supremacist Arrangement Malevich, bought by Christine Gmurzhinskoy Khardzhiev.
Shortly before the opening of the Cologne exhibition galeristka resold "Supremacist track" to his loyal customer - "chocolate king" Peter Ludwig, the creator of the museum in Cologne. Painting was not only incorporated into the exposition, but also graced the cover of the exhibition catalog. Only after the dramatic protests of the staff of the Russian Museum has finished cover was put under the knife. However, the picture of hardzhievskoy collection remains on display, and the indignant members of the Russian Museum refused to take part in the opening day.
Friends Khardzhiev and the fungus talk, that those painful the news of the sale of "Suprematism composition" Ludwig. The old men for some reason thought that, while they are alive, Gmurzhinska hesitate to sell items from their collections, which she inherited.
The scientist was difficult to reconcile with the fact that his treasure would pass from hand to hand on the international art market. But he no longer had the legal possibility to prevent it. Immediately after the Cologne scandal Lydia Chaga, which supported all family contacts with the outside world, has agreed to give an interview to one of the authors of this article and tell the truth about the Khardzhiev. Interviews took place. At a time when ticket to Amsterdam has already been bought, there came the terrible news - November 7, 1995 Lydia Chaga died.
The circumstances of her death, and today it is unclear. In recent months the fungus lives in the house at the Olympia Plaine appeared Boris Abarov, a former Moscow director, with 70 years living in Holland. He became secretary, major-domo, and indeed the guardian of an elderly couple. It was he who called emergency doctors, who found the bloodstained chaga with his head smashed. Abarov claimed that his wife Khardzhiev fell down the steep stairs - the compulsory affiliation of any of Amsterdam's house. In the press have suggested that Abarov he pushed an elderly woman down the stairs during an argument. However, the Dutch police was satisfied with the version of the accident. 92-year-old scientist was left alone.
Michael Privat
Amsterdam notary. Until April 1997 he worked in a notary's office, "Lubbers and Dyke", which carried out all legal transactions Khardzhiev and fungus. July 27, 1995 in the will Khardzhiev instill in their appointed executor. Summer 1996 Abarova replaced as head of fund Khardzhiev - fungus. Currently, reports on the activities of the fund to finance police and the new board members appointed on the recommendation of the Dutch pravitelstvaIlin engaged in "shuttle diplomacy" and began to send letters to the Ministry of Khardzhiev and Chage and their responses Moscow officials.
meeting
After the death of fungus remained a possibility to learn the truth - get a meeting with Nikolai Khardzhiev.
It was not easy. Access controlled scientist Boris Abarov. Before you allow the interviewer to Khardzhiev, Abarov, he said, was to negotiate with his colleague, co-chair of the newly created fund Khardzhiev - fungus, a consultant on pension funds by Ian Buze. There could not arouse suspicion that the fund was registered just two days after the death of fungus - November 9, 1995.
Agreeing to establish a fund, Khardzhiev wanted his suffering was finally collection accessible to the public. Buze helped to register the fund. His head was very Khardzhiev. According to the statute, the Fund should have lead at least three members of the board, among them - one a politician and an art critic.
Finally, permission to meet with Khardzhiev was received, and December 8, 1995, he told stories about his departure from Russia and the events that followed. (See below an interview with Khardzhiev.)
"
Selection of the best"
This was the last interview the scientist. A few months later, June 10, 1996, he died. On the testament of his property was divided between the Fund and Boris Abarovym. At this time there is a new player - notary Michael vaccinated.
Privat appointed executor Khardzhiev. Coming from a humble notary offices Lubbers i Deik becomes almost the main actor in the drama with hardzhievskim heritage.
Fund abruptly changes its policy. Instead, recorded in the Charter provisions on the "preservation of the collection as a whole" decision "to choose the best." Desire Khardzhiev put his collection to public view is forgotten. It is interesting that Abarov, and instill begin giving interviews in which he tried to convince the press that in fact, archives and collections are worth nothing. As stated Abarov in the newspaper Volkskrant, is "just a pile of old papers, filthy dog feces and eaten by mice." But it is for the public. Meanwhile, the "best choice" is already underway, and buys the best, as we are assured all the newspapers, Christina Gmurzhinska.
And Abarov and Buze, and instill aware of the feelings that nourish Khardzhiev and Chaga to its Cologne "benefactress. Nevertheless, the original drawings for "A Tale of about two square" El Lissitzky and more than two dozen of his works, 4 small paintings of Malevich and his Supremacist composition "White Cross" is sent to Cologne.
In this "second wave" of works from the collection Khardzhiev who got Gmurzhinskoy, and was a big picture of Malevich's "Peasant Woman". Last summer, one of the authors of this article, I saw a picture in the New York office of his new owner - a former U.S. ambassador to Austria and the owner of one of the largest perfume companies of Ronald Lauder (son of Estee Lauder). At the same time "king of beauty and a passionate collector is the chairman of the board of trustees of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and manages the team dealing with the problems of abducted during the war of artistic works created by the International Jewish Congress. In the figure, Lauder purchased one of 6 paintings by Malevich, who Gmurzhinska bought in bulk for 2.5 million. According to British newspaper The Art Newspaper, the picture Lauder cost 7 million dollars. To the remark of the author's most scandalous stories associated with the masterpieces from the collection of Malevich Khardzhiev, millionaire silent. Then the author did not know that the famous collector received an invitation to join the Foundation Council, which could serve as a grave cover for further sales. But the former diplomat, was careful and refused.
(Ronald Lauder became famous in Russia that recently in New York, he gave the Deputy Minister of Culture Pavel Khoroshilova Kiprensky painting "Portrait of the Basin", which belongs to the Russian Museum and the missing in the Crimea during the war. The painting was sold in 1996 at a charity auction organized by the Government of Austria, together with the auction house Christie (see "Results"#14, 1998). Unfortunately, this philanthropic move clouded by the fact that the collection Lauder are still two works by Malevich, illegally exported from Russia.)
While the "best" end up quietly from Amsterdam to Cologne and then across the ocean, the fund has been active in negotiations with the new Deputy Minister of Culture Pavel Khoroshilova of "softening" with Russia. Agreement was eventually reached.
Privat promised to restore Russia's archives, three pictures (Malevich, Rozanova, Tatlin), and two drawings by Malevich. But this time the scandal broke unplanned.
Christina Gmurzhinska showed work Lisitsky purchased from the fund, at the Cologne Art Fair, and then, as newspapers, sold them to the buyer, whose name is still unknown. The German and Dutch press showered Fund Khardzhiev - fungus hail of questions about his right to sell the collection.
At this time in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam was an exhibition of 79 paintings from the collection of Malevich Khardzhiev, organized by the fund. During the press conference devoted to this event, Priva had to explain the policy of "preserving the best." The hall was and the Deputy Minister of Culture Pavel Khoroshilov, which for the sake of that cut short his vacation. Khoroshilov said that participates in a press conference as a private person. According to press reports, he struck all the two statements. The Deputy Minister said that he could not assert that the collection Khardzhiev was removed from the country illegally. In addition, he announced that in future Russia's claims to the fund will not.
exchange?
In 1997, history took a new Khardzhiev unexpected turn. In October, the then Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin visited the Netherlands on an official visit. During the visit, he expressed concern regarding the collection and archive Khardzhiev. As written by Dutch newspaper, the prime minister made it clear that the only solution to this issue will break the deadlock over talks on the fate of the collection of the banker Koenigs. (Drawings by Durer, Holbein and other old masters of this collection, purchased by Hitler in Rotterdam in 1945, fell into the hands of Stalin's trophy brigades. Now they are in the Pushkin Museum of Fine.)
On the recommendation of the Dutch authorities to the Board of the Fund introduced new members: former Minister of Justice Jacob de Router and former director of the Stedelijk Museum Henk van Os. Dutch financial police launched an audit of the Fund. However, Dutch authorities have clearly overdue.
By that time, Boris Abarov, taking, as the newspaper Volkskrant, about 5 million dollars, was in New Zealand. Jan Buze with far less impressive sum of one million went to France. Only notary Privas stayed in Amsterdam and is now responsible for issues of new members of the Fund and Dutch officials.
Interesting that at the beginning of the investigation and collection of archives were not in bank vaults and in museum stores, and in stock, posted on the territory of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. What are they doing there - remains a mystery.
Now legacy Khardzhiev is in the Stedelijk museum's storerooms. Perhaps there it will remain. At the moment the Dutch side is ready to return to Russia archive, but no collection. Many believe that the fate of the collection Khardzhiev now linked with the fate of the collection of Koenigs. Fate hardzhievskogo legacy will be defined not only in the offices of The Hague, but also on the board of fund Khardzhiev - fungus, which continues to be the estate of a scientist and his wife. The Dutch authorities, of course, have an influence on the board, but it is unlikely they can dictate their will. One way would be to hand Russia's proposal to exchange a collection of Koenigs hardzhievskie treasures. But it is doubtful whether Russia officials would dare to violate svezhepodpisanny president of the Law on Restitution. The law declares all "trophy art treasures, including a collection of Koenigs, the inalienable property of Russia.
With the participation of Dina Goder and Marina Golubovska
Source: "Results", № 19, 1998, we published October 4, 2007
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