Exhibition Activity of Russian Emigres in the First Half of the Twentieth Century

Abstract

The article explores the exhibition activity of Russian emigres from the late nineteenth century to the early post-war years (second half of the 1940s.). Until now, historians have not paid much attention to exhibition activities of the Russian diaspora. The article uses catalogs of collective exhibitions as primary sources, which include materials from 180 exhibitions in 19 countries during the period 1917–1949. These materials were processed and coded into statistical data that were 0 9 tabulated and transform into diagrams that reveal dynamics of emigres’ exhibition activity. The geography, frequency, topics, and participants and organizers of exhibitions are identified, as well as exhibition classifications and exhibition that became traditional activities. The author examines challenges faced by the organizers and artists in preparing and opening the expositions. Particular attention is paid to exhibitions held in the USSR and Soviet critics’ reviews of artists-emigres’ works. The author studies the problem of participation of Soviet and emigre authors in the same exhibitions abroad and difficulties of such projects. Special attention is paid also to the role of the exhibitions in the life and destiny of some Russian artists abroad. A comparative analysis reveals features of exhibition activity of Russian emigres at different times and in different countries throughout this period.