Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Campus at Newark
Graduate Department of Public Administration
National Center for Public Productivity

19th Century Russian Art: Social Commentary on Bureaucracy

Bureaucratic tradition was always strong in Russia. Overcentralized and very often corrupt, it was not very popular. However, because of censorship and a scarcity of independent media outlets, in the 19th Century critical social commentary on bureaucracy was not widespread. We provide several samples of such a commentary. First , in this exhibit there are biting satirical cartoons from mid century satirical magazines. The last of them is an openly political cartoon from the early 20th Century with not so subtle, but merciless, criticism of the monarchy. Two other groups of pictures do not have the sharp edge of the cartoons, but rather portray the sad world of provincial officialdom. Two sketches by the famous artist P. Fedotov show two situations that are ageless: bribe-taking and an angry, arrogant boss. At a first glance, Russian luboks (prints) just seem to neutrally depict small details of life, but careful viewers will understand that the artists tried to portray the quiet desperation brought by provincial stagnation, so aptly described by such masters as Chekhov.

-SO, YOUR SON IS DRAWING CARICATURES AND WRITING LIBELS ABOUT ME. NO, IT WOULDN'T DO. I CAN TOLERATE THEFT, VIOLENCE, AND HARD DRINKING, BUT DISRESPECT OF THE ELDERS... NEVER! "Budilnik" [Alarm clock], #11, 1866 A YOUTH SEEKING FOR EMPLOYMENT IN AN OFFICE IS EXERCISING TECHNIQUES OF SUBORDINATION "Iskra" [Sparkle], #8, 1865 -- IT SEEMS, I AM NOT A PETTY ONE? "Budilnik" (Alarm Clock) satirical magazine, No. 47-48, 1866. -OK. GIVE ME THESE NEW PROJECTS! I DO LOVE PROJECTS, I DO LOVE MOVEMENT. HERE I HAVE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED PROJECTS. "Zanoza" [Splinter] magazine, #12, 1863 A DONKEY REPRESENTED AT 1/20TH OF ITS NATURAL SIZE Artist: I. Bilibin, 1906 This is a not very subtle criticism of monarchy and its hierarchy. A BRIBE-TAKER --So, tomorrow, Sir? -- Well, I'll see... P. A. Fedotov, 1840s THE BOSS AND SUBORDINATES Artist: P. Fedotov, 1840s IN THE DISTRICT COURT Somewhere in smoky offices... poorly-dressed people are writing heaps of petitions: first as rough copies on gray paper, then as fair copies on stamped paper... Individuals, families, entire villages are offended, frightened, ruined. Print (lubok) of the first half of the 19th century IN THE OFFICE OF THE BOSS Lithography (lubok). XIX century. And the mayor collects money, the village elder collects money, and the peasants give their last pennies. The policeman has to have a living, the district police officer has to live on something, plus, support his wife; the counselor has to have a living, plus raise the kids... Alexander Gertsen, "The Past and Thoughts" THE BOSS'S NAME-DAY Print (lubok) of the first half of the 19th century