The formation of Harbin’s art education in the late XIX–early XX centuries

Тhe article explores the scenario of the development of the art education system of the city of Harbin in the late XIX – early XX centuries. Based on the collected and systematized information, both from Chinese and Russian sources, a holistic, relatively complete picture of the gradual formation of the system of training artists in this city was reconstructed: from studios to higher educational institutions. An undoubted role in these processes was played by Russian artists, in particular Mikhail Alexandrovich Kichigin (1883-1968). He, a native of the Perm province, a graduate of the Stroganov Art and Industrial College and the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, moved to Harbin in 1921, where, together with like-minded people, he organized the work of the art studio “Lotus”, which existed until 1932. The activity of this institution, which taught children of both local residents and visitors of all nationalities, became an example not only for migrants from Russia, but also for Chinese enthusiasts who have done alot for the development of national artistic culture. As an example, the article mentions such institutions as the First Special District Art School of the Eastern Province, Harbin Art College, Provincial College of Fine Arts of the Special District of the Eastern Province and others. The information covered in the study allows us to conclude that in the 1920s and 1930s, Harbin was one of the most dynamically developing megacities in the world, including in the field of artistic culture.

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