Drawings by Alexander Pushkin

I am glad to address all the admirers of Pushkin`s muse, of whom I am also one, on the occasion of the publication of this unique book - the academic collection of Pushkin`s drawings, with comments and texts in English. Here in Russia, from our very childhood, we grow to understand that `Pushkin is everything for us`. I would call this instinctive and carefully cherished belief a national feature of the Russian spirit. Pushkin is undoubtedly the creator of modern Russian language, the father of Russian poetry, prose and drama. He opened to us a new vision of Russian history. The understanding of the universal character of his genius which lives in every Russian heart, is associated first and foremost with his verbal art. Our great respect for Alexander Pushkin is in the first place due to Pushkin the writer and the poet. This edition of the great Russian poet`s drawings is the most comprehensive collection showing Pushkin as an artist in the broad sense of word.