Muratov, Pavel Pavlovich (1881-1950)

[Complete edition in three volumes] Obrazy Italii (Figures of Italy). Vols. 1-3 vols. I-II (all published)

[Berlin]: Publishing house Z. I. Grzhebina, 1924. Complete edition in three volumes. Original publisher's full-fabric binding in a slip case. Item #373

Book measures: 16.5 x 12 cm (slipcase); 15.5 x 11.5 cm (volumes). 377 pages: illustrations (vol. 1); 291 pages: illustrations (vol. 2); 368 pages: illustrations (vol. 3). Text in Russian. The copy is printed on a special thin paper. A three-volume set comes in the original slipcase. Minor soiling on the case, wear on the edges, and occasional foxing inside the case. Each volume is covered in a publisher's full-fabric binding with embossing on the front covers and spines. The volumes are in almost fine condition with a previous owner inscription on the free endpaper, several pencil notes on the contents page, and a drawing on the paste-dawn endpaper. A well-preserved copy.

A complete edition of the magnificently illustrated publication dedicated to the history of Italian art and architecture, written by the famous author, historian, art critic, and publisher Pavel Pavlovich Muratov. At the same time, these are notes of a traveler, the author's observations, and reflections on the history of Italy and its culture. The publication combines an essay and a guide to the history of art and architecture. In "Figures of Italy," Muratov showed the talent of a writer, combining the biographies of legendary personalities with aesthetic sketches. The book has become a vivid and unusual experience of depicting Italy, its cities and landscapes, and its historical and artistic spirit in a language close to symbolism. The author expressed the attitude towards Italian art of a whole generation of Russian intellectuals who considered its artistic heritage their spiritual homeland.

Pavel Pavlovich Muratov (1881-1950). - writer, art critic, translator, and publisher. He studied at the Cadet Corps and graduated from the St. Petersburg Institute of Communications. From 1906, he served as an assistant librarian at the Moscow University library, then curator (until August 1914) of the Department of Fine Arts and Classical Antiquities of the Rumyantsev Museum. From 1905-1906, he traveled in England and France. He became famous in scientific and literary circles for his art history essays and articles and showed himself as a restorer and researcher of the Russian icon. In March of 1918, he was elected to the Presidium of the Committee for the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Treasures of Russia. In 1922, he emigrated to Europe, where he published the complete edition of the present book.

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