Leonid Andreev, one of the last representatives of the Silver Age of Russian literature in pre-revolutionary Russia, was born 146 years ago, on August 21, 1871. He was also a pioneer of photography, working with the autochromic process — the world's first technology of color photography, patented by the Lumiere brothers.
Most of the photos presented with the writer's family and friends were taken between 1910 and 1914. The pictures of family life taken either in Andreev's house on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, or in Italy, where he plays with his children, spends time on a yacht, rests in the evening or works late at night, are distinguished by a serene and quiet atmosphere, despite the writer's far from easy life and fate. Some of the works are portraits of Andreev, in which he appears thoughtful and even slightly wary. As a man of many talents, Leonid Andreev noticed: "If I were a king, I would make everyone take pictures."
It is noteworthy that these photos from a century ago look as if they were taken in our time.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterdayRussia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Self-portrait in the mirror, 1903.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Self-portrait of 1910.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
1907.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
The writer's son Vadim Andreev, 1909.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Andreev's son Daniel, 1912.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
The second wife of the writer Anna Andreeva, Marseille, 1910.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Anna Andreeva, Rome, 1914.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
1911.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Anna Andreeva.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
The son of the writer Savva, 1908.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Sunset over the village of Vammelsu, where the writer had his own house "Advance".
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Anna Andreeva, Vammels.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
1912, Vammels — the place was very popular among summer residents from St. Petersburg.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
The Mystical Head, 1908-1914.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
The writer's Sons, Koivisto Island, 1913.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Savva Andreev.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Savva and Vera Andreeva.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Leonid and Anna Andreeva in the garden of their house.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
1910.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Wammels, winter 1910.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
1908-1914.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Leonid Andreev, Philip Dobrov and Daniil Andreev, Vammels, 1912.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Self-portrait, 1910.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Andreev on the background of copies that he made from sketches by the artist Goya, Vammels, 1910s.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
With his son Savva.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday
At work, 1910s.
Russia of the 1910s: 30 photos from a Russian writer look as if they were taken yesterday