The Russian journal Mir Iskusstva (World of Arts) was first published in 1898. The journal was founded by Alexandre Benois, with Sergei Diaghilev as its editor. In addition to editing Mir Iskusstva, Diaghilev a prominent promoter of Russian arts abroad. The outside world had already heard about the Russian Seasons, and his Ballets Russes enjoyed enormous popularity. Mir Iskusstva was initially planned as a platform for art reviews and high quality illustrations. Later on, the journal also began publishing literary works. The idea was to introduce the general public to art. A number of influential individuals became involved in these efforts, invested their clout, resources and artistic talents to the journal. Mir Iskusstva, which was published monthly in St. Petersburg from 1898 to 1904, also served as the messenger for the association of the same name.
Diaghilev’s flat at 45, Liteyniy Avenue in St. Petersburg became the journal’s makeshift editorial office before it moved to 11, Fontanka in 1900.
The journal’s first publishers were Princess Maria Tenisheva and the entrepreneur and philanthropist Savva Mamontov. In addition to Diaghilev and Benois, the core of the editorial team was made up of painters Valentin Serov and Leon Bakst and writers Nikolai Minsky, Dmitry Merezhkovsky, Dmitry Filosofov and Zinaida Gippius. The literary department included Konstantin Balmont, Valery Bryusov, Fyodor Sologub, Vasily Rozanov and Andrei Bely.
The first issues of the journal included an article by Diaghilev entitled “Complicated Questions” with the epigraph taken from Michelangelo: “He who follows others never passes ahead of them.”
