State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg)

This small (7" x 7") book contains paintings from the Russian Museum in Leningrad. The introduction is fairly superficial, as would be expected from such a small book, focusing instead on the reproductions of the pictures themselves. Unfortunately, the reproductions are rather low quality -- the muted and/or poor quality of the colors, as well as the choice of pictures -- make this a less than ideal book to experience the beauty of Russian art. Russian art has some outstanding landscape show more painters, but because the small format of this book, all the landscapes look rather unimpressive. The pictures are laid out in somewhat chronological order, and thus, one gets an idea of the progression of Russian painting through the centuries. The introduction itself is very basic. The best I can say about this book is that it serves as a way of quickly finding the names of artists or works that are considered important to Russian art . You can flip through it, find a painting that looks interesting, then go to the library and find more detailed information and a better reproduction elsewhere. show less

"Folk tales belong to the treasures of Russian national culture. In the book you are holding today, they are illustrated by the best masters of Russian laquer painting, another invaluable part of ancient Russia's cultural heritage. This publication is unique as it brings together for the first time illustrations to Russian folk tales produced at all the centres of lacquer miniatures - Palekh, Mstiora and Kholui." The illustrations are placed on plaques of which are chosen to reflect the show more predominant colour schemes used at the different centres of lacquer miniatures.
Black is employed for Palekh, red for Mstiora and blue for Kholui. Source: Publisher

A book beautifully illustrated based on the lacquer miniatures made in the Russian villages of Palekh, Mstiora & Kholui. The 19 fairy tales are: At the Pike's Behest, The Turnip, The Peasant and the Bear, The Cockerel with the Golden Crest, Ivan-Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf, Masha and the Bear, Kolobok, The Flying Ship, Sister Alionushka and Brother Ivanushka, Morozko, Nikita the Tanner, The Swan Geese, The Wooden Eagle, Khavroshechka, Sivka-Burka, The Frog Princess, The Seven Simeons, Seven Labourers, Tereshechka, The King of the Sea and Vasilisa the Wise show less

great writing about the paintings, great choice of paintings, great pictures, great price--2.69 at salvation army

Really beautiful book; great painting; so evocative. More than 30 artists.