My grandfather, Théodore Strawinsky
Written by : Marie Stravinsky
In my grandfather’s studio, mysterious room flooded with light, rubbed canvas, gorgeous pastels and all kind of maquettes. We were very rarely allowed to enter this place of artistic creation. The painter did not admit anyone when he was working, but what a joy when the door opened and when we could discover his last work wandering between easels and painting boxes.
The eldest son of the famous composer Igor Stravinsky and Catherine Nossenko, Théodore was born in 1907 in St Petersburg. He was named after his paternal grandfather, a famous opera singer and actor who had a successful career at the Mariinsky theatre.
He lived his early childhood in Russia and then circumstances forced the family to spend the WW1 in exile. The family settled in Switzerland in 1911 and then in France in 1920. Théodore spent the roaring twenties in Paris with his parents visiting Picasso, Braque Derain, Cocteau. Growing in this artistic environment was on great influence on his personality and development from a very early age. Theodore always wanted to be a painter and his father, who was very fond of plastic arts, was delighted with this vocation. At 13, Théodore told his father “I want to be a painter”. Igor replied “Excellent idea as long as it is a good one”.
In 1930, Théodore enrolled the Academy André Lhote in Paris.
From there, he followed two parallel paths, easel painting (portraits, landscapes, still lives) and the mural.
Stained glass, frescoes, religious-inspired mosaics found their place in the churches of Switzerland, France, Italy, Holland and Belgium.
Although son of a genius, Theodore was never crushed by the strong personality of his father. He was completely free and knew how to assume this independence all his life through his work.
He died in Geneva in 1989 and is buried in the Russian cemetery of Paris (Sainte Geneviève des Bois) next to his mother, his sister and his paternal grandmother.
My grandfather was a charming man, cultivated, refined and his painting mirrored his image, soft and luminous. Inspired by his radiant faith, sacred art played an important role in his life. He was decorated by Pope Paul VI in 1977 and was invested as “Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great” for services rendered to the church by his art.
Some people sometimes ask me how it happened that I have two grandfathers on my mother’s side. This is actually a quite complicated story.
My great-grandparents, Igor and Catherine Stravinsky had 4 children : Théodore, Ludmila, Sviatoslav (Soulima) and Milène. Ludmila got married to the Russian-jewish poet Yuri Mandelstam and they had a daughter, Catherine, my mother. They both tragically died prematurely (Yuri had been deported to Auschwitz and Ludmila had tuberculosis) and Igor Stravinsky asked his son Théodore to adopt his niece. So I haven’t known my grandfather Yuri and Théodore was the grandfather I called « grandpa » and with whom I shared many good moments.
It has been almost 30 years since I last heard his deep and warm voice but it remains unforgettable. He enjoyed telling stories and had a great sense of humour. He was extremely modest, not talking much about his art and didn’t like to be the center of the attention. For some reason, his artwork was never the focus of our discussions. I remember that once he solemly invited me to enter his studio. What a privilege ! This place was amazing and full of his personnality. It was of course the largest room of his house, with high ceilings, white walls and flooded with light. I regret so much that, at that time, I had no camera to fix this image. On the one side, there was his easels, his paintings, boxes, shelves with mysterious objects. On another side, surrounded by two windows, there was a large table with a beautiful mirror. On the wall were posted quotes, postcards, sketches, handwritten passages of the Bible. And finally, on the opposite side there was an old sofa covered with a red plaid. I sat on it and my grandfather asked me to observe the dozens of paintings that were exposed in front of me, which I did. Then he asked me which one I prefered. I couldn’t answer so I said « all ». I guess that my sincere answer satisfied him as he smiled and immediately went out of the room to tell the rest of the family what I said.
He never taught me neither other people how to draw. He might have had one or two students in his life but didn’t like this activity. I recently met her Royal Highness, Marie-Gabrielle de Savoie, daughter of Queen Marie-José who was an intimate friend of my grandfather. She told me that she had the chance to have some painting lessons with Théodore. I imagine he couldn’t refuse the queen with whom he shared so much to teach her daughter.
Another opportunity that was given to me to enter my grand father’s studio was when I was about eight, nine years old. We were having lunch in the dining room when he told me he had a surprise for me. I was quite excited, torn between the desire of receiving a new sweater or goldfishes. Finally, at the end of our lunch, he declared that it was time for me to have my portrait done by him. I must admit that I was first a bit disappointed about the idea of posing for hours without moving.
We then of course spent hours of complicity with my grandfather, cherished moments that will remain engraved forever in my heart.