In the Russian Style

by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (Editor), Audrey Kennett

In the Russia of the 18th and 19th centuries, court life seesawed between the extremes of unbridled extravagance and sober-sided restraint, as nine very different rulers impressed their disparate "management styles" on history. Yet, whether we are discussing the largess of Catherine the Great or the parsimony of Alexander III, there is no question the Russian royal family lived large, reveling in a wealth and splendor as vast, spectacular, and unreserved as the country itself.
One of Jacqueline Onassis's first editorial undertakings, this elegant volume was originally published in 1976 with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Capturing the spirit of Imperial Russia, it is filled with illustrations depicting palaces, furnishings, jewels, objets d'art, clothing, and artwork -- expertly captioned and accompanied by quotations from a diversity of sources, including Tolstoy, Queen Victoria, Pushkin, Diderot, Gogol, and Napoleon. Audrey Kennett's introduction provides lively commentary on a long-gone age of benevolent despots and cruel tyrants; and a selection of beautifully restored costumes, specially photographed in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, appears in a section of glorious full-color plates. 8 1/2" x 11". Black-and-white and some color illustrations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art, Fashion, Russia, Art History

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 20, 1977

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books that Jackie Kennedy Onassis edited, this is the only one which bears her name, which is interesting. It was published in 1976 and suffers from the publishing style of the time, which means that the color plates are very few. What a glorious book this would have been if the multitude of black and white photos, many in the Winter Palace and other gorgeous settings, had been in color! The narrative is informative and gives background to Russian life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The taste for luxury and decorated surfaces and fabrics was sumptuous in the nobility, but even extended to the peasantry, as beautifully embroidered dresses for special occasions could be passed down for generations as traditional Russian clothing did not change over time. This book is a window into a Russia that most of us know nothing about, lost to revolution and the Communists.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many pictures. Almost all book full of pictures. But! They are 95% black and white and of a bad quality. The description of the beauty and colors and fabric yet all black and white somewhat blurry.

I know color is expensive. But if you can't afford it, don't do it at all.

How can you enjoy black and white kokoshniks, frock coats, ball dresses, and picture of Whiter Palace?

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice look at different things from different eras of Russia, but I often wasn't sure why something was featured. More color prints or photographs of items would have appealed more to me. The literaturary blurbs interspersed with the pictures were odd.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

More color plates would have been an improvement. A well written work that gives context to the objects.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a great book for an intro into Russian history. I liked reading a little about each Tsar and seeing the clothing/costumes of the times as well.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most illustrations black and white. Has the gown I reproduced.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mostly black and white photographs but an invaluable resource of Russian court fashion and history in general. I bought it for fashion history research, and this is a book I keep going back to for photographs and portraits which aren't available elsewhere. The text is also very informative in giving a potted history of Imperial Russia from Peter the Great's reign.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on Russian styles.