Aleksey Beketov

Aleksey Nikolaevich Beketov was born on 3 March [O.S. 19 February] 1862, in the city of Kharkov.^[2] The Beketov family belongs to the ancient Russian nobility and is probably of Turkic or Circassian origin. Aleksey Beketov was the son of famous Russian chemist Nikolay Beketov,^[3] a noted Professor of chemistry at the Imperial University of Kharkiv.^[4] His father came from a Russian noble family with roots from the Penza Governorate, Nikolay Beketov was born in Alferovka (now Beketovka, Penza Governorate), than moved to Kharkov.^[5] When he was elected to the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, he moved to St. Petersburg, where he died in 1911. His mother Elena Karlovna Milhoff (Beketova) was daughter of the St. Petersburg pharmacist.^[4]

He studied at the local realschule and a private art school, operated by Maria Raevskaia-Ivanova in Kharkov.^[6] In 1882, he enrolled in the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he studied with David Grimm and Alexander Krakau [ru]; graduating in 1888 with a degree in architecture.^[7] He graduated with a gold medal and defended his thesis on the topic "The Station at the Sea Baths on the Black Sea".^[8] During that same period, he worked with Maximilian Messmacher on several projects, including the palace of Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich.

After his studies, he was offered a job in Russia, in particular at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, but he wrote that he wanted to "live and give all his strength to his hometown ... I stood, looked at the palaces and remembered our Kharkiv - I felt with all my heart that I wanted to return and give all my strength to my native city".^[5] Therefore, he soon returned to Kharkiv and from 1890 taught architectural design and drawing at the Kharkiv Practical Technological Institute.^[9][10] From 1892 he taught a course in building art and architecture, and in 1898 he joined in compiling the programs and teaching a course in the history of architecture, as well as supervising the diploma and course design. In 1909, he published the book "Architecture. A Course of Lectures Given at the Kharkov Institute of Technology Named After Emperor Alexander the Third". In 1894, he was awarded the title of "Academician" for his work on Kharkov Public Library (1899–1901), what is now known as the Kharkov Korolenko State Scientific Library.^[7][11] His first project to be implemented was the building of the Commercial School [uk].^[9] In addition to simply designing the building, he also managed and supervised the construction, performing the work of a foreman. He continued to work in the same way.^[9][12]

The Beketov family, in particular Oleksiy and his father Nikolay, were acquainted with the famous Alchevsky family of Ukrainian educators and activists. The Alchevsky family, together with Nikolay Beketov, were among the founders of the Kharkov Society "Hromada", a national and cultural center of the Ukrainian intelligentsia.^[2] In 1899 Oleksiy Beketov was married to Hanna Alchevska (1868-1931), daughter of the Ukrainian industrialist, banker, public figure, and philanthropist, Oleksiy Alchevsky and his wife, Khrystyna, a Ukrainian educator and public education organizer.^[2] Therefore, the projects of the most important buildings that served the cause of public education for Kharkov were carried out by O. M. Beketov free of charge. These include the project of the Public Library (1899–1901, now the V. G. Korolenko Kharkov State Scientific Library)^[11] and the project of the building of the Sunday Women's School of Khrystyna Alchevska [uk] (1896, now the Exhibition Hall of the Kharkov Art Museum).^[13] Also, the buildings of Oleksiy Alchevsky's banks: Zemelny (Land) and Torgovy (Trade) were built according to his designs. To master the specifics of bank construction, the architect visited France, Italy, and Germany, inspecting the layout of operating rooms, work areas, safes, and other premises of European banks. Beketov also built a private mansion for the Alchevskys in the style of Italian villas. In the courtyard of this mansion, the very first monument to Taras Shevchenko in Ukraine [uk] was erected in 1900.^[14] The author of the monument is Ukrainian-Russian sculptor Vladimir Beklemishev, who, like Beketov, graduated from the Kharkov drawing school of Maria Raevskaya-Ivanova.^[14][15]

Oleksiy and Hanna had four children: Khrystyna (1890-1972, graphic artist, specialized in etching. Author of memoirs about her uncle, the outstanding tenor Ivan Alchevsky [uk], lived in Bulgaria), Mykola (1891-1964, by profession a sailor, died in Canada), Maria (1893-1921, died in Central Asia during an infectious epidemic), and Olena (1895-1990, served as her father's secretary and assistant, was the keeper of the archives of the Alchevsky and Beketov families. Buried in the city cemetery No. 2 (Kharkiv) [uk]).^[2][16][17] His grandson Fedir Semenovych Rofe-Beketov [uk] (1932) became a Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences,^[18][19] and his great-granddaughter Olena Rofe-Beketova [uk] is a well-known public figure, defender of the city's architectural heritage, volunteer during the Russian-Ukrainian war and activist.^{[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][2]} Currently, the architect's descendants live in one of the apartments in the building [uk] that the architect built in 1912 on Darwin Street [uk] after the economic crisis. Beketov's friend, the prominent Ukrainian artist Mykola Samokysh, also lived in this building.^[27]

After the Soviet occupation of Ukraine began, Beketov remained in Kharkiv. Most of his property was nationalized by the Soviet authorities. After 1920, in addition to KhTI, he worked as the main architect of the Kharkiv Art School. In 1929, he became a professor of architecture at the Kharkiv Mechanical Engineering Institute.^[9] After 1935, he worked at the Kharkiv Institute of Municipal Engineering Engineers (now the O. M. Beketov Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy), where he became a full-time professor at the Department of Architectural Design. He worked in this position until 22 September 1941.^[9]

In 1939, he was named an Honored Artist of Ukraine [uk].^[28]

Until the last days of his life, the architect led an active lifestyle and played tennis. In August 1941, while the city was still under the control of the Soviet army, he submitted a request to the institute to return to teaching.^[2][9] Soon after this, he had a stroke, and was bed ridden in his last days.^[4][2] Oleksiy Mykolayovych Beketov died on 23 November 1941, in Kharkiv, occupied by the Nazi army, aged seventy-nine.^[28] He was initially buried in the honorary Ivano-Usiknovensky cemetery [uk]. In the 1970s, the city authorities decided to demolish the cemetery, where many prominent citizens were buried, along with the graves.^[29] Oleksiy Beketov's grave, along with some others, was moved to the 13th city cemetery [uk], where it is located to this day.^[30][31] The gravestone, which was made in 1946, was also moved.^[32] The grave of the outstanding Ukrainian architect is a monument of history of all-Ukrainian significance (protection number №200008-Н).^[32]

• Streets
  • Founded in the 1930s in the Industrialnyi District of Kharkiv, the street has been named after Oleksiy Beketov since the 1950s.^[33][34]
  • Beketova Street also exists in Salavat.^[8]
• Сommemorative plaque
  • A plaque from the early 20th century has survived on the building of the former commercial school in Kharkiv, which was built according to his design.^[35]
  • A commemorative plaque has been installed in 1987 on the house on Darvina Street in Kharkiv, where he lived.^[36] The old board was lost, and a new one was installed in 2001.^[9]
  • A commemorative plaque is installed on the library building in Kharkiv, which was built according to his design.^[37]
  • A plaque in his honor is installed on the building of the Mechnikov Institute in Kharkiv, was built according to his design.^[38]
  • A commemorative plaque in honor of the architect is installed on the courthouse building in Kharkiv, which was built according to his design.^[39]
  • The museum of the Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy has a memorial plaque in honor of the auditorium named after Beketov.
  • It was also planned to install several plaques on other prominent buildings in Kharkiv.^[40]
• Institutions named after Beketov
  • Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy was named in honor of Oleksiy Beketov in 2013.
  • In 1995, a new subway station on the Kharkiv Metro was named the Arkhitektora Beketova.^[41]
  • Auditorium No. 501 Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy was named after the architect in 1987.^[9]
• Monuments
  • On 22 September 2007, a monument to Oleksiy Beketov [uk] was unveiled in front of the building of the former Kharkiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture [uk]. The author of the monument is Seyfaddin Gurbanov [uk].^[42][43]
  • On 30 August 2016, a monument to Oleksiy Beketov was unveiled in front of the building of the Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy. The authors of the monument are Oleksandr Ridny and Hanna Ivanova.^[44]
  • In 2001, a monument to the architect with his bust was erected in the Kharkiv House of Scientists, which was built as Beketov's own mansion [uk].
  • In 2002, a bust of Beketov was installed in the museum of the Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy.
  • There is a stained glass window with his image at the "Arkhitektora Beketova" station of the Kharkiv Metro.
• Museums
  • A section of the museum at the Kharkiv National Academy of Urban Economy is dedicated to the architect.
  • His dacha in Alushta is now a museum.
  • Some of Beketov's belongings are kept in the Kharkiv Historical and Art Museums.
• Other
  • In 2010, a postage stamp "Beketov Oleksiy Mykolaovych" was issued in Ukraine.^[45]
  • Several books have been written about Oleksiy Beketov. He also wrote his own autobiography and descriptions of his projects.^[9]

In Kharkiv, he built over 40 public and residential buildings.^[2] He primarily worked in the Neoclassical, Neo-Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles. He also utilized Neo-Moorish, Neo-Grec, and other styles.^[46] In the 1920s and 1930s, several buildings were erected according to his designs in the Constructivist style. He participated in the competition for the construction of the Derzhprom building, but his project was not among the winners.^[47] In 1905–1907, in collaboration with sculptor I. Andreoletti, he created the monument to V. N. Karazin [uk], which is now located near the entrance to V. N. Karazin Kharkiv University.^[48] Today, most of his buildings are architectural monuments of local significance in Ukraine [uk].^[32] A significant portion of his buildings were damaged during the Russian shelling of Kharkiv after the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022–2025.^[49][50]

In addition to his architectural designs, he was an amateur artist, painting Crimean landscapes.^[51] Many of his landscape paintings are in private collections. Alexey Dushkin, Yakov Lichtenberg [ru], and Vasyl Krychevsky are some of his best-known students.

The name Beketov, "Beketov's buildings," or "Beketov's style" in the city of Kharkiv is often used as a generic term for all beautiful buildings.^[52][53]

Public buildings

Sources:^{[54][51][55][56][57][9]}

• Alexander Commercial School [uk] (1889–1901, now occupied by the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University; 77 Hryhoriya Skovorody Street);
• Sunday Women's School of Khrystyna Alchevska [uk] (1896, the school belonged to his wife's mother, building damaged by Russian missile strike;^[58] 18/9 Chernyshevska Street);
• Land Bank (1896–1898, the bank belonged to his father-in-law, now Kharkiv Automobile Transport Professional College [uk], building damaged by Russian missile strike;^[59] 28 Konstytutsiyi Square);
• Azov-Don Commercial Bank (1896, building damaged by Russian missile strike;^[60] 14 Konstytutsiyi Square);
• Church of the Nativity of the Virgin (Kaplunivska, 1896–1912, destroyed in the 1930s; Kaplunivska Street);
• Trade Bank (1899, the bank belonged to his father-in-law; 26 Konstytutsiyi Square);
• Kharkiv Public Library (1899–1901, building damaged by Russian missile strike;^[61] 18 Korolenko Lane);
• Building of judicial institutions (1899–1902, with the participation of architects Yuliy Tsaune [uk] and V. Khrustalyov, building damaged by Russian missile strike;^[62] 36 Heroiv Nebesnoi Sotni Square);
• Kharkiv Society of Mutual Credit (1903–1905; 20 Pavlivska Square);
• Volga-Kama Bank (1907, now Kharkhiv State Puppet Theatre [uk]; 24 Konstytutsiyi Square);
• Anatomical Theater of the Kharkiv Women's Medical Institute [uk] (1910–1911; 8 Skrypnikivsky descent);
• Building of the Kharkiv Medical Society (1911–1913, now the Mechnikov Medical Institute [uk]; 14 Hryhoriya Skovorody Street);
• Sokolov Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Alexander Hospital [uk] (1912–1913;);
• Management of the North Donetsk Railway (1913, authors - S. Timoshenko, P. Shirshov, P. Sokolov, with consultation from O. Beketov; 4 Zbroyarska Street);
• Higher Women's Courses (1913–1915; 92 Myronosytska Street);
• Orphanage for noble orphans (1913–1915, now a building of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University; 84 Hryhoriya Skovorody Street);
• Commercial Institute (1914–1916, now Kharkiv National Technical University of Agriculture; 44 Alchevskykh Street);
• Shelter for elderly nobles (1914–1916; 4 Mykhaylya Semenka Street);
• Electrotechnical building of NTU "KhPI" (1928–1929; 2 Politekhnichna Street);
• Building for railway workers (1925–1936, also known as the "Liternyy House (Letter House, Літерний будинок)", from the Ukrainian word "Літера (Litera, Letter)"; 8/10в and 8/10a Yevhena Kotlyara Street);
• Residential building "Industrial Professor" (1934–1936; 17 Bahalia Street);
• "Voyenvid" (1938, Military Department Residential Building, Будинок Військового Відомства, author - P. Shpara, compiled with the advice of O. Beketov; 1 Borysa Chychybabina Street).

• 
  Building of the Kharkiv Medical Society (1911–1913)
• 
  Land Bank (1896–1898)
• 
  Land Bank (1896–1898). Facade
• 
  Kharkiv Public Library (1899–1901)
• 
  Sokolov Merchant's Mansion (1899)
• 
  Commercial Institute (1914–1916). Interiors
• 
  Dmytro Alchevsky Mansion (1896)
• 
  Alexander Commercial School [uk] (1889–1901)
• 
  Own house on Zhon-Myronosyts Street [uk] (1896–1897)
• 
  Orphanage for noble orphans (1913–1915)
• 
  P. V. Markov Merchant's Mansion (1901, Darwin Street [uk]);
• 
  Building of judicial institutions (1899–1902)
• 
  Mykola Somov Mansion (1900)
• 
  Building at 9 Hrushevskoho Street [uk], Kyiv

• 
  Station Arkhitektora Beketova on Kharkiv Metro
• 
  Monument to Beketov in Kharkiv unveiled in 2016. Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy after Russian rocket strike, February 5, 2023
• 
  Monument to Beketov [uk] in Kharkiv
• 
  Stained glass window with his image in Kharkiv
• 
  Plaque from the early 20th century in Kharkiv
• 
  A commemorative plaque in Kharkiv
• 
  A commemorative plaque in Kharkiv
• 
  A commemorative plaque in Kharkiv
• 
  His grave in Kharkiv. A historical monument of all-Ukrainian significance
• 
  Postage stamp "Oleksiy Mykolaovych Beketov" (2010)