An unexpected find in Penza - a gift from a professor from Harvard to the Russian princess

PENZA. In the regional library to them. Lermontov discovered a book from the collection of Princes Shakhovsky autographed by the translator Dante.

An unexpected find in the rare books department of the Penza library made it possible to recall two remarkable historical characters. Dante’s “Divine Comedy” in three volumes is a small “fragment” of the library of the Shakhovsky Princes. In their estate, in the village of Wazerki, Moksha district, rare editions were collected in different languages. The education received by the nobles was excellent. The book discovered in the storerooms is a prosaic translation of the great book into English. It was made by Charles Eliot Norton, a professor at Harvard University, author of scientific papers and essays on the history of art and literature. Of interest is not only the book itself, but also a donation autograph on the third volume, addressed to Princess Shakhovskaya with expressions of gratitude and warm words indicating the informality of their relationship.

Maria Alekseevna is an incredibly versatile and creative personality, a student of the famous sculptor Antokolsky. She devoted a significant part of her life to the development of folk crafts, having founded lace and textile workshops in Wazerki. The lace, woolen fabrics and cloth made in them were awarded medals of the highest value at exhibitions in Russia and abroad. Handicrafts were encouraged and supported as much as possible by monarchs. The Ministry of Finance allocated considerable funds for these purposes.

The meeting of Norton and Shakhovskaya took place in America, at the World Exhibition, where the princess came with the products of Wazer needlewomen. A talented, charismatic, superbly educated lady could not help but impress the Harvard professor of fine arts. History and archives are still silent about the details. However, the find will allow you to learn much more about the history of world and domestic culture. That is its main value.

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru