The Hermitage and the Russian government are politely clashing over whether “nested” matryoshka dolls are part of the national culture.
Museum director Professor Mikhail Piotrovsky has banned their sale in the Hermitage’s gift shop in St Petersburg, saying that they are not part of Russian folk art. In an interview to mark the opening of the Hermitage’s Amsterdam branch last month, he explained: “The dolls are Japanese in origin, adapted to Russia…These dolls are frightful. They are symbols of the tourist industry. Let’s not sell any rubbish here, is what I say.” (via The Art Newspaper)
Dear Michael Petrovsky- Get over yourself. Some of the most authentic representations of Russian folk art are the scenes from stories painted on masterfully crafted Matreshky. The only thing about them that is not kosher for traditional Russian culture is that dolls are never supposed to have faces painted on them or they can take in spirits. However, this belief has long since been forgotten by the public. I agree that the Hermitage shouldn’t sell run of the mill red and white rosy-face matreshky, but those that actually represent important folk tales/cultural moments are quite interesting.
Next thing you know the intelligentsia will decide that chistiushki aren’t a vital part of the Russian cultural-linguistic landscape…
4 months ago • 1 note
