On the eve of the 150^th birth anniversary of Stepan Erzya (11.1876-11.1959) – a talented artisan who possessed a rare gift for feeling the soul of wood – we invite you to look back at the thematic exhibition "In Dialogue with Chaco." Presented at the museum Collection in the spring of 2024, the exhibition drew significant attention from art connoisseurs and offered a fresh perspective on the sculptor’s South American period. Stepan Nefedyov became one of the few domestic sculptors of his era to achieve widespread recognition abroad. No matter the country he worked in, he created masterpieces that now comprise his unique legacy. Erzia’s works possess a striking magnetism: once encountered, their distinct plastic form is impossible to forget.

His art is rightfully considered a true asset to our culture. Mordvin by nationality, belonging to the Erzia ethnic group, the sculptor adopted his people's name as his artistic pseudonym. This choice reflected a profound love for his native land, which shaped his artistic worldview. Drawing inspiration from the masterpieces of Russian and global sculpture, the master always remained a son of his homeland, inextricably linked to its age-old traditions and nature.

Female images occupy a special place in this heritage. Delicate, spiritual, and poetic, they were born from the author's imagination and his sensitive admiration for the beauty of the surrounding world.

The exhibition "In Dialogue with Chaco" brought together his twelve profound and distinctive works from the Argentine period. It featured original sculptures and casts from the Repositories of the museum Collection, the Stepan Erzia International Arts Foundation, and the "Na Patriarshikh" Antique Salon.

This creative alliance with the distant province of Chaco, which lasted nearly a quarter of a century, became one of the central and defining dialogues in the life of the great master. 

The works of the talented Mordovian artist are stored in the Russian Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, in private collections. The Mordovian Republican Museum of Fine Arts, bearing his name and possessing the largest (over 200 works) and unique collection of his sculptures, has become a worthy tribute to the memory of Stepan Erzia.

Photo Album: "The Poetry of Form: The Universe of Stepan Erzya".
A video guide through the exhibition "In Dialogue with Chaco"

The remarkable works of the prominent sculptor are also presented in the section "Russian Sculptures" of the museum Collection.