Near-to-the-gifted-artist

Written by К.М.Минаев

With 1918 for 1925 A.M.Gerasimov worked as the regular set dresser at Kozlovsky drama theatre where we have got acquainted with him. In city drama theatre I have arrived to work in 1919 at the age of 15 years. 
Has passed some time, I was called to itself by Alexander Mihajlovich and has told: «to me you Will help: to wash banks, to cook glue, to wash brushes...» I have agreed also to me it was pleasant to work for the artist. To me responses about Gerasimov's scenery were remembered. Especially I remember its scenery to Ostrovsky's "Wood". They have been written on the whole big cloth; it was the back and to it two wood arches which have been cut out and sewed on a grid. It was exclusive scenery. Whoever to us came on tour from theatrical companies, all admired this painting. Though it was decorative, this "wood" used in registration of all performances of different genres. Then, after many years, this "wood" complete set has been destroyed and used on covering of other scenery. This barbarous destruction has left a sad trace in a shower of many of us. We protested, but time directors have passed to a new direction of registration of performances, not beginning from this valuable the scenery executed by Alexander Mihajlovichem.
Fortunately, in a memorial estate A.M.Gerasimova exposition the sketch to Ostrovsky's "Wood" from which the back of scenery at theatre has been made has remained.
A.M.Gerasimov wrote portraits of actors in roles much. Somehow time to us on tour there has arrived the Ukrainian troupe led by entrepreneur Barikovym-Sabininym. Then Alexander Mihajlovich has written Taras Bulba, Mazepa, Pannochku from "Vija" and many other Ukrainian images. I remember, how many performances went to the applause all hall as soon as the curtain opened.
Alexander Mihajlovich was interested in an opera and an operetta. Wrote leading ballerinas, advised registration, suits. It had been wrote sketches to an opera "Evgenie Onegin".
Alexander Mihajlovich has started to write political pictures. In our theatrical workshop he wrote the big picture «For collective farm». Wrote it long, searched for types. In this picture I participated also, in an image of the boy, standing near a cart with the lifted hand. Our two bearded watchmen participated also. This picture has been packed and sent to Moscow.
V.I.Lenina's big portrait has been written, to it - it is a lot of sketches, etudes. They also have been sent to Moscow. Besides the big works, Alexander Mihajlovich wrote landscapes, flowers, portraits of the acquaintances. Then Alexander Mihajlovicha's work was adjoined by artist D.R.Panin. It was the good artist. Throughout many years as D.R.Panin and A.M.Gerasimov worked in close commonwealth. Alexander Mihajlovich was very simple and sympathetic person. He came to the workshop early in the morning and worked till the evening. Happened, will call me:« Kostja, on here you, cook potatoes in "uniform" yes cut here сальца ». He ate simply. We ate with him together. He was interested in my youth life much, asked about a family, joked. Alexander Mihajlovich violently, exactingly worked. Happened, will sit down on a chair, will combine a foot on a foot. With a tube in a mouth, with the rolled up sleeves, with a palette in a hand and there and then corrects any lacks. At this time I made a breakfast or a dinner. Its favourite food - the potato, tea were prepared by me in a soldier's kettle. The old brick plate was our kitchen where cooked glue, washed banks. He treated me very kindly, even which with what helped me, prompted.
I have worked for him decently, before Alexander Mihajlovicha's departure to Moscow. Every summer Alexander Mihajlovich came to Michurinsk in the native home, always came into theatre and met me.
After Alexander Mihajlovicha's departure to us Sergey Sergeevich Varsonofev has gone to work.
So passed my commonwealth on work with Alexander Mihajlovichem.
And Alexander Mihajlovich very often recollected the years of work at drama theatre. «Worked as the regular set dresser, - he recollected. - it was difficult to us to work without paints, brushes, therefore often it was necessary to send Kostju on a roof that row with a soot pipe, and then to dissolve it and to use as a paint».
Years of work from A.M.Gerasimov - the most interesting and happy.