Description
Book SynopsisWhat did it mean to be Russian as the imperial era gave way to Soviet rule? The author turns to a unique art form produced in the village of Palekh to investigate how artists and craftsmen helped to reshape Russian national identity. This book follows the development of Palekh art as it adapted to dramatic changes in the Russian nation.
Trade ReviewJenks deftly identifies pivotal moments in Palekh's history, skillfully crafting them into a smoothly flowing narrative about the improbably resilience of this peasant art.
* The Russian Review *
An important and fascinating study of the complex interactions of politics, art, and the market in shaping national identity.
* Journal of Modern History *
Jenks describes Palekh with cogency, intelligence and humour, and his beautifully illustrated book has significant new things to say about the functioning of Soviet nationalism on the ground.
* TLS *
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: In Search of Russian National Identity
1. Official Nationality and the Rise of the Icon Expert
2. The Commercialization of Russian National Culture and Its Malcontents
3. Palekhians into Russians, 1901-1918
4. The Last Shall Be the First
5. Palekh in the Age of Terror, 1933-1941
6. Saved by the War!
7. The Cultural Transformation Continues, 1947-1958
8. Triumph, Collapse, and Regeneration, 1958-2001
Epilogue: The Village Academy in Modern Russian History
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
