Russia's History Painters

Professor Stephen M. Norris

Russia's History Painters
Format
Paperback
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Country
United Kingdom
Published
30 October 2025
Pages
144
ISBN
9781350097469

Russia’s History Painters

Professor Stephen M. Norris

Beginning with the 1881 Itinerant Art Exhibition, this book examines the history of modern Russia through the paintings of Vasily Surikov and Viktor Vasnetsov, two of the most important Russian painters of the period. By placing specific paintings and their artists alongside the historical myths and legends depicted in the art, Stephen M. Norris explores in highly readable prose how paintings helped to bring obscure, half-forgotten historical events into the public imagination in the 19th century.

Russia's History Painters reveals how Russian history and national identity came to include Kievan princes, Orthodox Christian knights, Cossacks and Peter the Great, among many others. It also analyzes how critics and commentators interpreted these canvases as living entities, encouraging viewers to immerse themselves into the pasts captured on them, and in doing so, to assimilate notions of honour, bravery, and love for the motherland.

Analysing 11 pivotal artworks in depth, this accessible book explores how painting has defined Russian history and nationhood up to the present day.

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