Secular Lubok. Late XVIII– Early XX Century. From the Collection of the Russian Museum

The exhibition comprises around 100 works from the collection of the Russian Museum that let visitors trace the history of the lubok and the evolution of the themes and artistic methods during the 150 years - from the second half of the XVIII century till 1917. Out of all stylistic diversity of this art phenomenon the exhibition shows the most traditional works typical for the lubok. Many of them are displayed for the first time.

Non-religious or secular pictures decorated residences of bourgeoisie and wealthy merchants, homes of artisans, craftsmen and poor people of the town, rooms at the post stations, houses of poor nobility and low rank officers. The lubok as the most important part of the folk culture was highly valued by the Russian avant-garde artists at the early XX century.

During its bicentennial history the lubok changed its look. However in all the periods of its existence it remained the bright phenomenon of the mass culture, balancing between professional art and folklore and being under the influence of new art tendencies and mass taste. In spite of the fact that the secular lubok was produced in less quantity than the religious one, it was the former that had incredible diversity of genres and stories.