Russia and Britain in costume albums. Works by John Augustus Atkinson (1774?1776? ― 1830) & James Walker (c. 1760 ― 1823)

Abstract

James Walker (c. 1760 ¬― 1823?) and John Augustus Atkinson (1774?/1776? – 1830) are English artists who went to Russia in 1784 and then spent nearly 20 years there. Not only were the personal lives of Walker and Atkinson linked but also their artistic careers. Their colloboration resulted in two very fine “costume albums” ― “A Picturesque Representation of the Manners, Customs and Amusements of the Russians” (1803-1804, 1812) and “A Picturesque Representation of the Military, Naval and Miscellaneous Costumes of Great Britain” (1807). They offer a highly interesting opportunity to compare the ways in which Atkinson and Walker described the two countries ― their native Great Britain and their adopted place of residence, Russia. The article explores how different attitude to the subject influenced illustrations drawn and etched by Atkinson and explanatory comments written by Walker.