Works on show include a 17th century replica of The Virgin of Vladimir, by Ivan Mikhailov, the earliest painting featured at the exhibition according to Elena Pronicheva, the general director of the State Tretyakov Gallery; Nasty Sea, a convincing example of Ivan Aivazovsky's ability to reenact nature's eternal beauty and dignity on canvas. The display also has Head of Boyarynya Morozova, a preparatory study work that Vasily Surikov, a historical painter and also a Peredvizhniki member, made for his iconic piece Boyarynya Morozova, which is included in the State Tretyakov Gallery's collection.

Some of the artists on show were frequent guests at the house of Tretyakov.

Pronicheva says Tretyakov "set a good example of how to show the soul of Russia, as he viewed preserving Russian art in the means of building a collection and a gallery, now one of the richest in Russia, and gifting it to the public — a most important commitment".