The Wooden Churches of Russia

By Micah Goulart View Comments

100 years ago, Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin, a well known artist and illustrator of Russian Folk tales, traveled to northern Russia to collect folk art. He came across the wooden churches of Russia and fell in love with them, photographing them and bringing back to Moscow the sad news of their lamentable condition. Through his efforts and the sales of postcards like the one below, money was raised to restore the 300-year old churches.

100 years later, Richard Davies retraced Bilibin’s steps in northern Russia and photographed the now 400-year old churches, in their stunning condition considering their age. His photos will be exhibited in Finland and UK.