Drawing Imagination: Children’s Books in the Russian Empire

Welcome back Caron Veldman Rudie of the Russian Museum of Art.

Facing very low literacy rates, the educations of the late 19th century began a focus on schools and on books for young readers. Some of the best artists drew the illustrations for both classic tales and nonfiction titles. The results are books held in high aesthetic esteem to this day. These books also provide a peek into the cultural values of the times. Exploring this history brings out the artistic and childlike heart in us all.