Les pavillons russes aux Expositions Universelles du XIXe siècle: expression de l’identité qui n’a jamais existé

Russia took part almost in all World Exhibitions of the second half of the 19th century. Starting with sections in the central exhibition hall, it gradually expanded its presence at exhibitions at the expense of separate thematic buildings and big national pavilions. The special design of Russian pavilions in their national style was created under the influence of visitors’ opinion. They propagated a false yet interesting and habitual European image of Russia, as the eastern and preindustrial country.