From the history of creation of the collections of art objects by the Irkutsk inhabitants in the second half of the XIX - beginning of the XX centuries (on the materials of the Irkutsk collectors’ funds)

The study analyzes the archival documents that reveal the life and activities of some representatives of the intelligentsia in the context of their influence on the process of introducing art to the Irkutsk inhabitants in the second half of the XIX - beginning of the XX centuries. The constituent and accompanying documents, reports and plans, posters and announcements, sources of periodicals which confirm the participation of the collectors in the events have been found. The work allows to consider the history of creating the collections of art objects by the Irkutsk inhabitants, holding art events on both international and regional levels. As a result of the study, the activities of the intelligentsia were proved to have influenced the process of familiarizing the townspeople with the objects of art of the second half of the XIX - beginning of the XX centuries. The article analyzes the content of the previously unexplored historical sources, which makes it possible to consider the work of collectors from different angles.