The National Library of Russia purchased the Laddey collection in 1852. It contains 12 000 plates, mostly the lithographed and engraved portraits dating the nineteenth century. The collection also includes the nineteenth-century popular prints, termed lubki, and a group of photo portraits. It was collected during the years 1817 to 1857 by Gustav Laddey (1796-1872), the leading actor of a German troupe at St. Petersburg. Laddey began collecting portraits of the historical figures for the purpose of acting. The actor used the details of the portraits to create the stage characters based on historical personages. Later, he expanded the collection to portray conspicuous people of all time periods and countries of the world.
Prints & Photographs Collections
Prints & Photographs. Brief Summary
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