From the history of the exhibition work of the Eastern Siberian department of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society in the second half of the XIX — early XX centuries

The article based on the materials of the State Archives of the Irkutsk Region presents the history of the exhibition work of the East Siberian Department of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, the introduction of the inhabitants of Baikal Siberia to art, the organization of art events in the second half of the 19th — early 20th centuries. 2021 marks the 170th anniversary of the foundation of the organization. Currently, there are many works on the history of this public association that assess the results of scientific research, but issues related to exhibition activities in Siberian historiography remain not fully disclosed. All this makes it possible to rethink the process of studying the general results of the organization's work from modern historical views. The study emphasizes that representatives of all segments of the population took part in the activities of the department: officials, teachers and artists, merchants, clergymen, bourgeoisie, literate peasants, foreigners and political exiles. The work analyzes the sources of periodicals, constituent and accompanying documents, estimates, plans, reports, posters, announcements, catalogs, etc. Involvement of a wide range of sources makes it possible to trace the activities of a public organization from different sides. It was noted that the scientific organization held art exhibitions, excursions and lectures that introduced the public to the works of Siberian and foreign masters.