Art

The art reference collection will interest art historians, theatre designers and publishers.

The comprehensive collection covers fine and applied art from Russia and the republics of the former Soviet Union, including icons, 19th century schools, the avant-garde, socialist realism and the Cold War years, graphic and poster art, folk art, costumes and textiles, theatre design, ceramics, museum and gallery collections.

Architecture

The architecture reference collection is an unrivalled resource on the Russian and Soviet period for architecture historians and researchers.

The collection holds over 500 titles covering all aspects of architecture, building and town planning in Russia from medieval times to the 20th century. There are materials on aesthetics, design and town planning theory, together with detailed coverage of towns and major building projects. Many titles contain extensive plans and architectural details, as well as photographs and illustrations.

The collection includes titles donated by the late Dr Catherine Cooke on the Soviet avant-garde period. Two other archives enhance the collection: the Arthur Ling bequest, covering architecture and town planning, and the archive of the Society's Architects and Planners group (1941 - 91).