«Издание полностью на английском языке. Strange as it may seem, however, there are almost no books devoted to this most famous of periods in Russian art. The most recent fundamental studies on the Russian Empire style appeared as long ago as 1935-1936. This means that «Russian Empire», which appears on the eve of the new millennium, can be regarded as the first attempt to assess the period in the perspective of modern art-historical studies. The new volume covers the full range of the Empire style's various manifestations in architecture and urban development, sculpture and decorative painting, integrated interior design and the creative arts and crafts — furniture, bronze-casting, light-fittings, fabrics and costume.»