Patron
Herald
«Wealth is given to man so that he may share it with those who are in greater need».
Drag the timeline, tap an era, or swipe to see how the faces of Russian generosity changed over time.
Open faces galleryTo preserve the memory of those who multiplied the good
“Patron & Philanthropist Herald” is a space where private initiative finds its voice and meaning. Here, doing good is treated not as a one-off gesture, but as part of a great cultural and civic tradition — from historical examples of patronage to contemporary philanthropic practice. The project tells of people who turned personal success into benefit for society, supporting education, science, art, healthcare, preserving memory and creating institutions that outlived their own time. It is a chronicle of deeds in which private engagement becomes a common heritage, and personal choice — a contribution to the future.
Lives of generosity — the faces of patrons
Aristocrat and advisor to Emperor Augustus, whose name became synonymous with patronage.
Associate of Catherine II, education reformer, initiator of a network of orphanages.
Industrialist, one of the founders of the Moscow Foundling Home.
Favorite of Elizabeth Petrovna, initiator of the opening of Moscow University and the Academy of Arts.
Living Faces
Their names were preserved by history, their deeds by grateful memory. Today their faces come alive again.
Aristocrat and advisor to Emperor Augustus, whose name became synonymous with patronage.
More about the patronCaliph of Baghdad, who transformed the «House of Wisdom» into the largest scientific center of the medieval world.
More about the patronFavorite of Elizabeth Petrovna, initiator of the opening of Moscow University and the Academy of Arts.
More about the patronManufacturer, opened the first factory school for workers' children in Russia.
More about the patronOld Believer, publisher and collector, from peasant origins.
More about the patronCreated an art circle in Abramtsevo, discovered Chaliapin and Vrubel to the world.
More about the patronEducator, founder of Sunday schools for women.
More about the patronEntrepreneur and grain industrialist, who opened the first automated technological mill in Europe in Stavropol — fed people in hungry years.
More about the patronSteel magnate, founder of a network of 2,500 public libraries and the Carnegie Corporation — the father of modern philanthropy.
More about the patronSwedish chemist and inventor of dynamite who bequeathed his entire fortune to establish the Nobel Prize.
More about the patronPhilanthropist, a simple cart driver from the Collective Farm Market, who, from the income of his subsidiary farm, donated more than 80 buses and cars to orphanages across the country and helped those in need throughout the USSR and Russia. Became the prototype for the Monument to the Philanthropist in Kazan.
More about the patronAn outstanding Russian conductor, teacher and public figure who led the St. Petersburg Philharmonic for more than 35 years, established prizes for gifted musicians and created the «Arts Square» festival.
More about the patronA chronicle of noble deeds from Ancient Rome to today
- Ancient RomeThe origin of patronageGaius Cilnius Maecenas and the Circle of Roman Poets
The Roman aristocrat Gaius Cilnius Maecenas (c. 70 – 8 BC), a confidant of Emperor Augustus, established a circle of patronage for poets – Virgil, Horace, Propertius. His name became a household word in all European languages: «Maecenas» is synonymous with a patron of the arts.
- 1755Moscow University Founded
Philanthropic contributions from the Demidovs and Shuvalovs made the opening of the first Russian university possible.
- 1856Beginning of Tretyakov's Collection
The 24-year-old merchant buys his first paintings – by Schilder and Khudyakov – laying the foundation for the future gallery.
- 1861Abolition of Serfdom
The reform opens the way for new names: former serfs become philanthropists.