The adherence of the inhabitants of Baikal Siberia to art in the second half of the XIX-beginning of the XX centuries (based on the fund materials of the East Siberian Department of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society)

The article presents the history of adherence of the inhabitants of Baikal Siberia to art by the East Siberian Department of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, the organization of artistic events in the second half of the XIX – beginning of the XX centuries based on the materials of the State archive of the Irkutsk Region. The work analyzes the sources of periodicals, constituent and accompanying documents, cost estimates, plans, reports, posters, announcements, catalogues, etc. The involvement of a wide range of sources makes it possible to trace the activities of the public organization from different sides. It has been noted that the scientific organization held art exhibitions, excursions and lectures that introduced the public to the works of the Siberian and foreign masters.