I.V. Zholtovsky as a Teacher at the UZhVZ, the Second SGHM, VKhUTEMAS, 1917-1923

Abstract

The article, based on archivaL materials (from the State Archive of Russian Federation, Russian State Archive of Literature and Art, Shchusev State Museum of Architecture and Museum of the Moscow ArchitecturaL Institute), many of which are introduced into scientific circuLation for the first time, discovers the pedagogicaL activity of a significant native architect Ivan ZhoLtovsky (1867-1959) in the first revoLutionary years. Between the end of 1917 - 1923 he, who had aLmost no previous teaching experience, turned out to be extremeLy in demand as an architecture mentor. This case is especiaLLy interesting because ZhoLtovsky in generaL shunned innovations and experiments in architecture, adhered to conservative views and an academic approach to teaching the profession. Despite the Like views he gained popuLarity among students of the Moscow SchooL of Painting, ScuLpture and Architecture, then the Second Free State Art Studios and, finaLLy, Vkhutemas. In the Latter case, ZhoLtovsky became the Leader of the traditionalist wing, which in the early 1920s constituted absolute majority at the Architectural Faculty. This status has remained until his departure for a business trip abroad in the fall of 1923.