"Raise the Level of Well-Being": on the Introduction of the Townspeople of Baikal Siberia to Art in the Second Half of the XIX – Early XX Century

The relevance of the article lies in the fact that the analysis of archival documents that reveal the life and work of N. M. Yadrintsev, G. N. The work allows you to consider the history of art events at both international and regional levels. The study confirms that the intelligentsia participated in creating favorable conditions for acquaintance of resi-dents with art objects. The purpose of the work is to show, based on a wide range of historical sources, the process of introducing the townspeople of Baikal Siberia to art in the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries. The objectives of this work are: to analyze the documents of the State Archives of the Irkutsk region about the life and activities of N. M. Yadrintsev, G. N. Potanin, the work of public organizations; to highlight the difficulties and peculiarities in the process of introducing the townspeople of the region to art. Methodology. The article is based on the principles of historicism, consistency and scientific objectivity. Histor-ical-genetic and problem-chronological methods are used. Results. In the study, based on the materials of the State Archives of the Irkutsk Region, the history of organizing art events in the cities of Baikal Siberia in the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries has been restored. It shows how the activities of famous scientists N. M. Yadrintsev, G. N. Potanin influenced the work of public associations, the creation of public exhibition spaces. Conclusions. As a result of the research, it was proved that the activities of N. M. Yadrintsev, G. N. The article analyzes the content of previously unexplored historical sources, which makes it possible to examine the work of public organizations and the intelligentsia from different angles.