On the establishment of the Section of Polygraphic Arts at the Russian Academy of Artistic Sciences: prerequisites, objectives, key figures

Abstract

The article examines the establishment and early activities of the Polygraphic Arts Section of the Russian Academy of Artistic Sciences (RAAS/RAKhN) in 1922. It highlights the importance of considering the historical context that led to the collaboration of creative practitioners and scholars from various fields in developing new approaches to book art and printing. The study aims to identify the preconditions for the section’s formation, analyse its objectives, and evaluate the role of key figures in its development. The research draws on official RAKHN documents, meeting minutes, and other sectional records, as well as previously unexplored archival materials and periodical publications from 1922–1932. Using cultural-historical and comparative methods, the authors reconstruct the significant stages of the section’s formation and its impact on book publishing in Russia. They conclude that the section emerged as a response to the complex social and economic changes in Soviet Russia during the 1920s. Initiated by A.A. Sidorov, the section bridged the gap between creative artists and research scholars, opening new perspectives for studying the book as a cultural phenomenon. The participants made significant contributions to the development of book art, formulated an analytical methodology, and produced fundamental works that identified major trends in Russian book art, analysed historical stages in book development, and proposed ways to improve the quality of domestic printing. The study examines the section's organisational structure, its work plans, and the range of issues discussed at its meetings between April and October 1922. Particular attention is paid to the key figures of GAKhN and the Section of Polygraphic Arts — P.S. Kogan and A.A. Sidorov. Studying the section’s experience deepens our understanding of the interaction between art and science, which remains relevant in contemporary art history. The work demonstrates how collaboration between professionals from different specialities can lead to innovative approaches to practical challenges in mastering new technologies and artistic genres.