Obrazy Italii [Figures of Italy], vols. I-II (all published)

Moscow: Izdanie Nauchnogo Slova, 1911. First [Lifetime] Edition. Moscow: Izdanie Nauchnogo Slova, 1911 - 1912; 265 +159 pages: illustrations; text in Russian. Both volumes are in very good condition with some minor wear to the bindings and a little tear on the title page of volume one. The third volume, mentioned by the publisher, was never published on the stated date. <br /> <br /> A magnificently illustrated publication dedicated to the history of Italian art and architecture.<br /> <br /> The two-volume set was written by the famous author, historian, art critic, and publisher Pavel Pavlovich Muratov. These are, at the same time, 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 managed to express the attitude towards Italian art of a whole generation of Russian intellectuals who considered its artistic heritage their spiritual homeland. <br /> <br /> Volume I, "Venice - The Way to Florence - Florence - Cities of Tuscany," is dedicated not only to Venice and Florence but also to the unique cities of Tuscany - Padua, Ferrara, Bologna, Ravenna, Pisa, Lucca, Siena and others. In the chapter "Venice," Muratov talks about the greatest Renaissance artists born in this city - Giovanni Bellini and Tintoretto. Then he describes Venice of the 18th century - the most musical city in Europe of that time, the center of theatrical and carnival spectacles, the universal worship of the mask. The chapter ends with an essay on Casanova.<br /> <br /> Volume II, "Rome - Naples - Sicily," consists of descriptions of Latium, Naples, and Sicily with its colorful cities - Pompeii, Palermo, Syracuse, and others. According to critics, no one in Russian literature created such a holistic image of Italy as Pavel Muratov. <br /> <br /> 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 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.