“Journey Through China” from St. Petersburg to Paris: Illustrations for Pavel Piasetskii’s Travelogue in Russia and France

Anastasia M. Kuryanova

Authors

Anastasia M. Kuryanova European University at Saint Petersburg Author

Keywords:

Pavel Piasetskii, expedition to China, book illustration, drawing, lithograph, engraving, Yellow Peril, Great Game, chinoiserie, 19th-century photography

Abstract

In 1874–75, Pavel Piasetskii — a Russian doctor, writer, and amateur artist — journeyed to China as part of a scientific and trading expedition organised by the Russian government. During his travels, he created approximately one thousand drawings and watercolour paintings. A selection of these works was later reproduced as lithographs to accompany his “Journey through China”, which documented his experience. In 1883, a French translation of Pyasetsky’s travelogue was published in Paris, featuring ninety new engravings based on his original drawings. However, these engravings diverged significantly from Piasetskii’s initial compositions. This article explores how politics, culture, technology, and fashion shaped Piasetskii’s portrayal of China and the subsequent transformation of his works in France. Key factors include the rivalry between Russia and Great Britain during the “Great Game” in Central Asia, the spread of “Yellow Peril” ideologies in Europe, the rise of photography, and the enduring tradition of chinoiserie.

Author Biography

Anastasia M. Kuryanova, European University at Saint Petersburg

Kuryanova, Anastasia M. — M. A., Ph. D. student. European University at St. Petersburg, Gagarinskaia ul., 6/1 А, 191187 Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. SPIN-code: 4658-7795; ORCID: 0000-0003-2211-5952.

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