first edition in the original binding

An exceptionally fresh example in the original art nouveau binding.

In 1884 Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov and a number of other artists were commissioned to paint frescos in St Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kyiv, which had recently been constructed to celebrate a 900 years since Vladimir's Christianisation of Kiev Rus in 897. The somewhat controversial results of this undertaking are documented in this profusely illustrated guide.

Folio (34 x 25 cm.); vii, 137pp., chromolithographed title-page, titles & initials in red, 105 illustrations in the text, 42 plates (2 double-page, of which one in colour & gilt), small water stain to bottom margin of a few rear leaves; original decorative blue cloth gilt, blue slipcase with blue morocco entry, a fine example.