Illustrated postcards first appeared in Europe, and then the novelty came to Russia in the late 19th century. They became very popular as they gave possibility to not just write letters, but, thanks to the image, could be kept as aesthetic objects.

Primarily they were called open letters and then the title was changed to portcards. In 1894 the government allowed private publishers print postcards. In the 1900s the instruction On the Illustrated Postcards Including Written Messages on Their Front Page Sent from Abroad came out, which allowed to implement the unusual address line. Elaboration of the rules and specifics of arranging the text and decoration on the postcards proceeded at full speed.

Early postcards were decorated with vignettes, cartouches, floral motives. In the 19th century the view postcards featuring architectural and monumental landmarks, city views, interiors and portraits were especially popular. Postcards with reproductions of the works by famous painters were highly demanded as well, which served to popularization of the visual art.

At the moment the illustrated postcards with images of buildings of the previous centuries are of historical and collectors’ interest.

This postcard was based on the painting, not the photograph. The exhibit item comes from Pavlovka theme series of postcards. One of the rooms from prince Volkonsky’ estate Pavlovka is depicted here. In the middle of the composition is the table covered with tablecloth, and the statuette of a bird on it. There’s a big painting with portrait of Semyon Fyodorovich Volkonsky (1703-1768) on one of the walls. He was Sergey Grigoryevich Volkonsky’s grandfather.

In front of the table there’s an unusual Savonarola chair, a wooden construction with a bowl-shaped top and an x-shaped frame. Such design was created by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1869) inspired by ancient Roman curule seats. Such furniture was considered very fashionable back then.