La découverte de l'art russe en France, 1879-1914 - article ; n°2 ; vol.71, pg 391-405

Revue des études slaves - Année 1999 - Volume 71 - Numéro 2 - Pages 391-405
Unlike literature, Russian art enjoyed only marginal interest in France throughout the 19th century. The lack of intermediaries, ignorance of Russian artistic traditions, and the global perception of Russia as a backwater, kept on hindering the discovery of Russian art. The World Fair organized in Paris in 1900 marked a renewed contact with and a reinterpretation of Russian art. Consequently considered in its dual dimension both historical and contemporary, this art has been clearly defined and has contributed to identify the essence, spirit and characteristics of Russian culture. Actually, the go-betweens who recognized the value of an art widely considered until then as unexceptional were Russians: artists, collectors, entrepreneurs. In 1914, Russian art largely contributed to the renewal of European artistic forms and trends. Its acknowledgement by France, following the example of the constituent nations of 'old Europe', was definitive.
15 pages
Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.