The book of the famous art researcher, artist Alexander Nikolaevich Benois (1870-1960), revealing a wide panorama of the development of Russian painting in the 19th century, has become not only a classic of Russian art history, but also a wonderful monument of the Silver Age in Russian art culture. The vivid characteristics of the unique creative personality of the masters of art, the ability to acutely feel and convey to others the "mystery of beauty" give particular interest to the lively, talented work of A.N. Benoit, first reprinted since its publication in 1902. The book is richly illustrated. For a wide range of readers.