Along the Banks of the Volga River

Along the Banks of the Volga River

Masterpieces of the Russian photography from the second half of the 19th century
in the collection of the National Library of Russia in Saint Petersburg.

People of different nationalities who lived on the Volga banks can be seen in the pictures made by Mikhail Bukar. According to a long-established practice, he tried to transform his studio documentary photos into bright water-colour "pictures". The photographer hand-coloured the costumes of his models, and painted imaginary backgrounds with a brush. This method automatically upset the specific character of photography. But the price of the pictures increased significantly.

Mikhail Bukar. The Kyrgyz People Mikhail Bukar. The Mordvins Mikhail Bukar. The Kalmyks

Mikhail Bukar
The Kalmyks. 1872

Mikhail Bukar
The Kyrgyz People. 1872
Mikhail Bukar
The Mordvins. 1872
Mikhail Bukar. A Tatar Man Mikhail Bukar. The Bashkirs.
Mikhail Bukar
A Tatar Man. 1872
Mikhail Bukar
The Bashkirs. 1872

Mikhail Bukar.
The Kyrgyz People. 1872

Mikhail Bukar.
The Mordvins. 1872
Mikhail Bukar.
A Tatar Man. 1872
Mikhail Bukar.
The Bashkirs. 1872

Mikhail Bukar.
The Kalmyks. 1872