Maria Pavlovna Chekhova is the sister of the famous writer. The teacher and artist became the creator of the A.P. Chekhov House-Museum in Yalta. Awarded the title Honored Artist of the RSFSR.
The whole life of Maria Pavlovna was aimed at caring for her beloved brother. Chekhov was born in Taganrog in 1863, on August 19 (31). Father adored the only daughter. Masha grew up with five brothers. However, most of all she became friends with Anton, admired his gentle disposition and cheerful character. In 1872, the girl entered the Mariinsky Women's School.
The time of childhood and the time of youth
After the family moved to the capital in 1976, she completed her education at the Filaret Women's School. Until 1885, a student studied at the Higher Courses with Professor Guerrier. She then taught in a private gymnasium. In 1903 she was awarded the gold medal "For diligence by education." A talented artist enthusiastically engaged in painting.
In the nineties, she studied at the Stroganov School, attended the Khotyaintseva studio. She was taught by Serov, Korovin, Levitan. The contemporaries compared the painting of the talented student with her brother's literary work. However, Chekhova had almost no time left for the art of time.
She was engaged in almost the entire economic structure of the family in the capital and in Yalta. Mashenka was jokingly given the nickname "Builder Solnes." The plays of the Norwegian playwright Heinrich Ibsen have been very successful since the beginning of the last century. Among them was the one from which the nickname came from.
The new name perfectly reflected the essence of the active lady. She loved creativity and creation. However, Maria Pavlovna managed to not only monitor the economy. According to her plan, a school was built in Melekhov. She held charity concerts and performances. During her life at the Chekhov estate, she performed the work of a nurse at the reception and simple surgical operations, she was engaged in a home pharmacy.
Best mate and friend
The friendship between relatives amazed contemporaries. Maria refused her personal life, so as not to disrupt the usual course of life of the famous brother. For his work, the real assistant tried to create a favorable environment. She performed assignments, visited editorial offices, brought proofreading, library books.
The sister had a household, and she decided everything. If questions were discussed about renting a new apartment, moving to the cottage, the last word remained with the sister. The always fit and elegant Maria Chekhova was noted for amazing grace and taste. She appreciated and understood humor, loved to joke herself, could say a sharp word, endow with a well-known nickname.
Together with his brother in Melekhov, the sister actively participated in the repair of the estate. The girl was engaged in the construction of schools, the treatment of peasants, chores. On the tender and fragile girl was the whole estate. In the morning she disappeared all day in the field, on the threshing floor, protecting her beloved brother from unnecessary work. My sister also provided a lot of help before Chekhov’s trip to Sakhalin.
Maria Pavlovna worked in the library, made extracts from books necessary for her brother. The journey was not easy. After returning, the writer began collecting textbooks for Sakhalin schools with libraries. And again, sisterly became the best help. After the death of her brother, the sister kept all the rooms of the Yalta house intact.
However, more and more often visitors came and asked permission to see the place where the "Cherry Orchard" and "Lady with a Dog" were created. The relative realized that Chekhov is very dear not only to his family, but also to many readers who appreciated his talent. Gradually, she made rooms available at home. There was also a book for recording impressions.
