The name of Elisabeth Böhm occupies a special place in the history of the late 19^th-century Russian art. In an era of massive canvases and uncompromising realism, she chose her own intimate path, becoming the 'queen' of the silhouette and book illustration. Her works are more than just drawings; they are an entire universe where ancient fairy tales come to life and folk rhymes echo, while the figures of round-faced children in boyar kaftans reflect the very soul of pre-revolutionary Russia.

Böhm possessed a rare talent – the ability to find poetry in the minor things. She transformed the humble postcard into a true collector’s item, accessible to everybody, and proved that a graphic miniature could be just as expressive as an oil painting. Her signature 'Russian style', which won acclaim from Paris to Chicago, blended exquisite technical skill with a sincere, almost childlike devotion to her national roots. Until the very end of her life, the artist continued to create extraordinary designs, channelling the Russian style not only through graphics and watercolours but also in glasswork. The delicacy and elegance of her pieces serve as a reflection of that very 'female gaze' which, at the turn of the century, brought a unique warmth and soulfulness to the world of art.

Find more details about the life and work of this distinctive artist in our new audio story.

On the cover: Ladle with the inscription in Cyrillic. Boehm E.M. – the sketch author, Dyatkovo Crystal Factory. Russian Empire, Oryol province, Bryansk district, Dyatkovo village. The 1890s