Vidy Valaamskago monastyria

Abstract

According to Pierre Apraxine, "leather bound album, all edges gilt, of 40 bromide plates of identical size (6 9/16 x 8 7/8") mounted back to back into the page (as in carte de visite albums). Titled on the cover binding: "Views of the Monastery of Valaam," bookmark of the Gr. Duke Vl. Aleks. on back of first page. Written in pencil on the second: Hammer, May 3, 1945. Album documents the Monastery of Valaam, various hermitages (All Saints, St. Nicholas, etc.), natural settings, and occupations of the monks. Includes a general view of the Monastery, with processions or interior views of churches, tombs, grottos, and retreats of holy monks. Then follows diverse activities: construction of church, fishing in the lake, harvesting cabbages or hay. Follows nature views of cliff, and shores of Lake Valaam, holy monk's abandoned huts, etc., generally with monks posing in foreground. All photos are in Russian in caligraphic script. Album depicts in post-card images the life, architecture, and settings of the monastery. As such it is a very general but good introduction. None of the photographs are signed. The date is suggested by the bromide process. The condition is good."

Dates / Origin

Date created: 1890

Place: n.p.

Library locations

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection

Shelf locator: Slav. Reserve Photo (Vidy Valaamskago) and *ZQ-1009