Picturing Russia Explorations in Visual Culture Valerie A. Kivelson, Joan Neuberger

This wide-ranging book is the first to explore the visual culture of Russia during the entire span of Russian history, from ancient Kiev to contemporary, post-Soviet society. Illustrated with more than one hundred diverse and fascinating images, the book examines the ways that Russians have represented themselves visually, understood their visual environment, and used visual images in social and political contexts. Expert contributors discusses images and objects from all over the Russian/Soviet empire, including consumer objects, architectural monuments, religious icons, portraits, news and art photography, popular prints, films, folk art, and more.Each of the concise and accessible essays in the volume offers a fresh interpretation of Russian cultural history. Putting visuality itself in focus as never before, "Picturing Russia" adds an entirely new dimension to the study of Russian literature, history, art, and culture. The book enriches our understanding of visual documents, and shows the variety of ways in which they serve as far more than mere illustration.

Valerie A. Kivelson is professor, Department of History, University of Michigan. Joan Neuberger is professor, Department of History, University of Texas at Austin.

‘Picturing Russia takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey through the evolution of Russian visual culture, and will introduce many to unfamiliar subjects whilst offering fresh interpretations of artistic and cultural landmarks. Above all, it inspires the reader to consider seeing, as much as reading, when next exploring Russian history.’
-Emma Minns, Slavonic And East European Review Vol.88 No.4