Extraordinary color photographs show life in Russia in the early 1900s

 

 

Last November, we shared with you a treasure trove of rare, color images of life in Paris in the 1920s. And now here are some extraordinary color photographs captured during an even earlier time period -- pre-revolutionary Russia on the eve of World War I.

The images, 10 of which are shown below, were shot by Russian chemist and photographer Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii from 1909-1915 as he travelled across the Russian Empire, documenting the lives and work of the Russian people, as well as landscapes and architecture. Color photography was still in its infancy at the time, and Prokudin-Gorskii travelled in a special train car which doubled as a darkroom so he could hand process his color images.

There are many more images and background info on Prokudin-Gorski and his color photography process at the Library of Congress, which purchased his glass negatives after his death in 1948.

(Via The Denver Post)

(Thanks Phil!)

 

Isfandiyar, Khan of the Russian protectorate of Khorezm (Khiva), full-length portrait, in uniform, seated on chair, outdoors; between 1910 and 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Corner tower of the Trinity Cathedral in the Solovetskii Monastery, Solovetski Islands; 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Alim Khan, Emir of Bukhara, seated holding sword; between 1905 and 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Church in Vetluga settlement; 1910
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

On the Karolitskhali River, self portrait of photographer Prokudin-Gorskii in suit and hat, seated on rock beside the Karolitskhali River, with mountains in background; between 1905 and 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Garden of the M.P.S. (Ministry of Communication and Transportation) and Saint Paul sluice, Deviatiny, Russian Empire; 1909
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Pinkhus Karlinskii, eighty-four years. Sixty-six years of service. Supervisor of Chernigov floodgate, Russian Empire; 1909
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Shepherd posed near a hillside, Samarkand; between 1905 and 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Group of workers harvesting tea. Greek women, Chakva; between 1905 and 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection

 

Dagestani types, Man and woman posed outdoors; between 1905 and 1915
Library of Congress, Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii Collection