Art collector's legacy puts generosity in the frame

The State Tretyakov Gallery paintings allow visitors a glimpse into Moscow's people and history, Lin Qi reports.

In 1856, 24-year-old Moscow merchant Pavel Tretyakov (1832-98) acquired the oil works of two Russian painters — Skirmish with Finnish Smugglers by V.G. Khudyakov and Temptation by N.G. Schilder.

It was his first purchase of "serious" works of art.

Before that, Tretyakov, who had been long fascinated by music, literature and art, bought books and drawings at the market.