Visual sources of nomadic civilization

Abstract

This article reviews the new book-album “Nomadic Civilization and European Travelers. Painting, Graphics, and Cartography of the 17th – 19th Centuries”). The book was published in Russian and English by the Dosym Satpaev Private Cultural and Educational Foundation. The editor and compiler is political scientist, publisher, founder of the “Söz” («Сөз») literary project, PhD Dosym Satpayev. The text authors are Julia Gani, Valeria Ibrayeva, Dosym Satpayev, and Maxim Tkachenko. This popular science and educational illustrated publication is the result of a joint project between the Dosym Satpayev’s Foundation and Maxim Tkachenko's BonArt Auction House. Cultural scientist Julia Gani identifies the drawings, while art historian Valeria Ibrayeva writes an introduction to the book's contents. This book includes a privately held collection of rare antique book illustrations, drawings, and maps from European publications, united by the common theme of nomadic culture. The book's visual materials focus primarily on the culture, everyday life, clothing, architecture, and other details of Qazaq nomadic life. A close examination of the book's illustrations including scenes depicting competitions, hunting, and the everyday life, reveals new, previously unknown facts. In the final part of the book, antique European maps of Asia, “Tartary,” and the Russian Empire are published. Recent years have seen a noticeable increase in the popularity of historical cartography in Qazaqstan, largely due to the attention of visual history enthusiasts and antique map collectors. The book's qualities, such as its wide range of visual elements, unique presentation, and interpretation, are highlighted in this review. There are also brief remarks and clarifications provided. Overall, the authors of the book have done a significant job of collecting, systematizing, and introducing interesting visual sources into broad scientific circulation. We are confident that the book will be read by both the general audience and experts who are researching the history and culture of medieval Qazaqstan.