Three meetings

Written by В.В.Белоусов

The January 7 1947 public artist USSR A. M. Gerasimov was brought forth by candidate in deputies of the SUPREME SOVIET RSFSR from Uvarovskogo region its native Tambov region.
The documents ed In funds museum-homesteads A. M. Gerasimova, telling about public activity of the artist. Ed the telegram, in which A. M. Gerasimov thanks their own countryman-constituents for rendered confidence and yields consent run for this high post. Ed the telegrams of the artist Chepcova and sculptor Yakovleva with congratulations on cause of election A.M. Gerasimova deputy of the SUPREME SOVIET RSFSR.
The Artist often arrived on meeting with their own constituent. On ed photography A. M. Gerasimov amongst milkmaids Uvarovskogo region. Subsequently he will write the portraits nearly all milkmaids, taken pictures with him. But I am recalled three meetings with deputy of the SUPREME SOVIET RSFSR A. M. Gerasimovym.
Daytime went the thick snow, but snowstorm raged to evening. The snowdrifts appeared On road, and in ten steps was nothing be not seen. Alexander Mihaylovicha waited to evening in Inzhavin district executive committee. Not wated fiduciaries, started to ring in nearby Krasivka, but telephony because of snowstorm was violated, but have afterwards solved that hardly Alexander Mihaylovich will arrive in such snowstorm.
The Man on duty after switching off the electric current at eleven o'clocks of the evening (this was a first postwar years) задремал in easy chair. Awoke he, having heard voice and steps in corridor. The Open door, in receiving, weakly illuminated by kerosine lamp, has seen the person in unbuttoned racoon fur coat and fur hat. This was Alexander Mihaylovich Gerasimov. Turned out to be that, fearing stick in snowdrift on car, he has solved to leave in light sled. But have left late, snowstorm all increased, yes and went against winds, coachman several times lost the road. So so have powerfully been late with arrival in Inzhavino. The Man on duty has offered A. M. Gerasimovu to take seats in House of the collective farmer or spend the night in its house, which was found thereabouts. A. M. Gerasimov has thanked the man on duty and, not wanting disturb the people at late hour, remained in receiving on sofa.
The following day meeting the constituents took place in local club with its candidate in deputies. Emerging before constituent, A.M. Gerasimov has thanked them for rendered confidence, has told about their own relationship with native Tambov steal and with sincere feeling spoke of its remarkable folk and about nature. That was a first meeting.
In 1955, wanting barrier known on Tambovschine homestead Karaul from the further destruction, I applied for help to A. M. Gerasimovu. Since I already in this time of the veins in Moscow, Alexander Mihaylovich has invited me for discussion of this question in Academy art USSR, I have arrived at the appointed time.
And here is I in cabinet Alexander Mihaylovicha for old-time polished table. He attentively listens my tale about Karaul. Spoke he with me on-paternalistic heat and trustful, with тамбовским dialect: Da-arling my... He promised to help on the strength of their own possibilities, has advised me to continue the work on study monument cultures Tambov edges, greeted the initiative on guard and safety monument.
Alexander Mihaylovich shown an interest my life, my work. Having Heard that I design the new building a museum in former homestead P. I. Chaykovskogo in Wedge, has voiced its approval. Proschayasi with me, he has wanted me to remember about native Tambov edge, support with him relationship and be useful him their own deals. 
Subsequently, concerning with study and measurement known Tambovs manor in Sofiinka, Mezenec, Ivanovka, Znamenka, Borschovka, but then working on project of the recovering the Building-museum S. V. Rahmaninova in Ivanovka and E. A. Boratynskogo in Mar (Sofiinka), I often recalled these good words of the outstanding countryman. Such a my second meeting with him.
...Stood the roast summer. In Bolishom common-room to Academies art USSR sorrowfully-solemnly sounded the music Rahmaninova. A Hundreds Muscovite went by casket with body A. M. Gerasimova. This was summer 1963. The tears welled up On eye... Around I stood several elderly people with decoration plank. Passable past low, thick, grey person gave all hand, including me. This was K. E. Voroshilov, arrived to conduct in the last way of its friend A. M. Gerasimova.
When mourning tuple has slowly drived out of Academy, big military orchestra, whole width of the street, has performed the mourning march...
Alexander Mihaylovicha Gerasimova have buried on Novodevichiem graveyard. On mourning mass-meeting of the group of ten emerged and a hundreds been present have biased their own heads before rack and ruin prominent artist, president to Academies art USSR A. M. Gerasimova...
Subsequently bronze bust A. M. Gerasimova was installed on grave of the famous artist. His author known sculptor Evgeniy Viktorovich Vuchetich. Else at lifes Vuchetich has done the beautiful bust A. M. Gerasimova, but artist has written the portrait Vucheticha.
The Just the same bust is installed in native city artist in Michurinsk, on street, carrying his name, opposite building, where vein family A. M. Gerasimova and in which is situated the museum A. M. Gerasimova.
My memory carefully keeps memory about these three meetings.