Russian Impressionism: Paintings from the Collection of the Russian Museum, 1870s-1970s [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Vladimir Kruglov (Author), Vladimir Lenyashin (Author), Ellen Nidy (Editor), Kenneth MacInnes (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

Perhaps the most beloved art movement of all time, Impressionism had its roots in France but soon inspired artists around the world. This new book documents that explosion in Russia, unveiling canvases that resonate with the pure color, sparkling light, and lively depictions of everyday life that characterize Impressionism at its best.

Chosen from the holdings of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the works displayed in this handsome volume focus on a chapter in Russia's rich cultural history that has been too long overlooked. Now, the broad range of Russian Impressionism is made abundantly clear in 340 lush colorplates and in illuminating essays. The superb paintings, most rarely or never published before, make this collection an essential addition to any art lover's library.

VLADIMIR KRUGLOV, an art historian and leading curator at the State Russian Museum, has published extensively on the history of Russian art.

VLADIMIR LENYASHIN is currently head of the late 19th- and early 20th-century painting department at the State Russian Museum and is a professor at the Ilya Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture in St. Petersburg.

340 illustrations in full color, 81/2 x 14"

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Impressionism flourished in Russia from its inception and for decades after, but who knew? As art historian and State Russian Museum curator Kruglov writes, Russian impressionist painting is "an unknown and underrated phenomena." This groundbreaking volume, which contains 340 glowing illustrations of work by 140 artists (all concisely profiled), puts an end to this neglect and presents the legions of art lovers who possess a seemingly insatiable appetite for impressionistic works with a whole new universe to explore. Both Kruglov and his colleague, Lenyashin, offer enlightening historical overviews that compare and contrast these diverse Russian painters with each other and with their European and American counterparts, and chronicle their struggles for recognition. The paintings themselves are fascinating. Russian painters tended to wield a heavier hand and use a darker palette than other impressionists, and, although their subject matter is similar, the ambiance and details are distinctly Russian, thus revealing a world long hidden from outsiders. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Palace Editions / Harry N. Abrams; 1st edition (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810967146
• ISBN-13: 978-0810967144
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 10.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,860,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move Over Monet!!!!, November 25, 2003

By 

margaret n. harper (sherborn, ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russian Impressionism: Paintings from the Collection of the Russian Museum, 1870s-1970s (Hardcover)

I was fortunate enough to have purchased this magnificent volume for its original retail price -- but now feel it may be the most priceless item I have ever owned! As a person who loves to paint (notice I don't call myself "artist" or even "painter") I'm inspired to move forward in capturing something -- ANYTHING of what these artists did. Every time I look through this book and its gorgeous plates, I learn something new about color and light and using paint to sculpture a scene. Having been happily saturated with French and American Impressionists (and we still love them!) it is like entering a parallel universe where all is familiar yet new, and somehow more robust than you can imagine. These works are simply luscious. I pray I live long enough to see a major retrospective. Until then -- this book is my bible, my solace and inspiration. If you can afford it -- or find a deal -- I suggest creating a place of honor in your home -- for the Russians have arrived!!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Privlikatel'no! Molodyets!, October 31, 2003

By 

J. M. Adamik "Southwest Explorer" (Dallas area -Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Russian Impressionism: Paintings from the Collection of the Russian Museum, 1870s-1970s (Hardcover)

Wonderful! Well-done!

This is about all I can think to say about this book. Superb text and many, many beautiful illustrations. Russian art wasn't even touched on in my American university art history courses, except for a few important 20th century avant-garde artists...explore this little-known world of Russian impressionist painting with this book. I'm happy I paid the retail price, not the prices asked by the used booksellers now that it is out of print.

5.0 out of 5 stars Crisp, accurate color, July 2, 2009

By 

Brad Teare (Providence, Utah, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Russian Impressionism: Paintings from the Collection of the Russian Museum, 1870s-1970s (Hardcover)

This nicely bound volume has plenty of large reproductions. Although the quality of the work varies, which is expected given the large number of artists represented, there are some real gems here. But the wide variety of styles insures that there is something for everyone.

The reproductions are crisp and appear to represent accurate color. I love many of the painting's rich, thick style so much that I can't imagine not having this book in my art library.