Sidorov, Aleksei Alekseevich (1891 - 1978)
Dul´skii, Petr
Mitrokhin, Dmitrii
P[avel] A. Shilingovskii. [Kazan´,Izdanie Tsentral´nogo Muzeia T.S.S.R., 1926] 115 p.,1 original woodcut, 16 high resolution b/w plates^, indices, bibliography.
(Russkie gravery)
€450
More information
8 vo, publisher´s art card-board covers with original Shillingovskii´s woodcut pasted on front and back covers.21 ills. in text 20 separate plates from P.Shilingovskii´original woodblocks included, numerous vignettes are printed also from original blocks.Title page designed by Dmitrii Mitrokhin. VERY RARE.
500 numbered copies printed. Our copy is #401. Autographed by Pavel Shillingovskii to Ia.B. in 1968.

Still major publication on Pavel A. Shilingovskii compiled by A. Sidorov, P. Dul´skii, Dmitrii Mitrokhin and Petr Kornilov.This monograph is a part of Petr Dul´skii´s publishing project of Series 'Russian Engravers'.The project was never finished.

Plate with Leon Trotsky portrait between p.44 and 47 and Erik Gollerbakh´s portrait between p.82 and 85 were cut out with razor blade by the artist himself. Possession of Trotsky´s images by private private citizen was considered as a state crime and a mortal sin in the USSR. Previous owner rendered to cataloger Shilingovskii´s personal story about vandalizing this copy. It took place twice, one time in mid 1930s and the second time in 1940.The artist claimed that he did not feel greater regret cuting out Trotsky´s portrait but cried when he had to cut out his better friend´s, Erikh Gollerbakh, portrait.

In 1940 rumors were spread in Leningrad artistic circles (partually unfounded) about Gollerbakh´s arrest and detention. Many of his admirers and friends destroyed his books, photographs and leters at the time.

Cataloger´s close relative perished in the GULag for possession of newspaper cut-out with Trotsky´s portrait in late 1930s [to continue]