The Strengthening Merchant Class

The merchant class during the late imperial era of Russia had a variety of influences that shaped the public sphere of Russia once the revolution deemed almost all private property under the possession of the state. Prior to the change in government, the 1861 emancipation of serfs made some the lifestyles of the landowning elite financially difficult and led to a large amount of reselling of art. The booming merchant class was a wealthy enough group to begin collecting and admiring art paving the construction of multiple art galleries, theaters, and museums during the first half of the 19^th century. The following five stops are prominent establishments the merchant class of Russia was fortunate enough to create.