The building of the Shelter for Widows and Orphans of Russian Artists, also known as the "Widow's House," was constructed between 1910 and 1912 based on the design by architect N. S. Kurdyukov with the participation of engineer N. Egorov. It was built in the neo-Russian style on a site funded by the bequest of P. M. Tretyakov.

The shelter provided free accommodation for widows and unmarried daughters of Russian painters, sculptors, and architects until their death or marriage, while sons could stay until they reached adulthood. Widows, minor children, and unmarried daughters of artists whose works were in the city’s Tretyakov Gallery had priority for residence. After satisfying this category, widows and orphans of artists whose works were in other Russian collections were granted housing rights.

The building contained 16 apartments with shared kitchens equipped with stoves and samovar hoods. On the first floor, there were six two-room apartments of 56.4 square meters for widows with children, and on the second floor, ten single-type apartments of 27.3 square meters for singles.

The shelter was financed through interest from a capital of 130,000 rubles, with an annual maintenance cost of 5,298 rubles. Management was carried out by a Council that included a member of the Tretyakov family.

After the revolution, the shelter closed, but some residents remained in their apartments. In 1931, the building was raised by two floors, resulting in the loss of gable roofs and majolica decorations on the facade. During the Soviet era, the artist G. K. Savitsky, known for his battle and historical-revolutionary paintings, lived and worked here.

Currently, the building houses the scientific and auxiliary departments of the Tretyakov Gallery.