Works of Art in Russia: Two 1921 Editorials in the Burlington Magazine

by Anne Benson In July and September of 1921, editorials in the Burlington Magazine expressed concern over the fate of Russia’s art treasures “ever since the outbreak of the revolution and especially since the appearance of a Bolshevik government”. The July article was speculative, while in September, the editors included a welcome eyewitness account providing …

The Russian Revolution and The Burlington Magazine: A letter from Alexander Polovtsov

by Anne Benson In 1919 The Burlington Magazine published a letter titled ‘Salvage of Works of Art in Russia’ by Alexander Polovtsov (see full text of the letter below and HERE).[1] This is a remarkable document—a rare firsthand account of what was happening to Russia’s art treasures during the 1917 Revolution. News from Russia was confusing, …