Korean Minimum. On Elena Khokhlova’s Book The Main Things in the History of Korean Art

Abstract

The first Russian book in forty years summarizing the information on the history of Korean art was published by the MIF publishing house as part of the book series The Main Things in History. But is the art of Korea known to us enough to highlight the “main things” in it? The publisher clearly understands the audience of readers the product is intended for, and in serial publications it offers navigation designed for the usual quick search for introductory information; however, the requirements of brevity and ease of presentation prevail over scientific fundamentality. The competence of the author, Korean Art historian Elena Khokhlova, her passion for the material, and courage in the selection of ‘key monuments’ made it possible, even within constraints, to create a serious work that awakens interest in the Oriental culture and in the history of art in general.

Keywords

• korean art
• elena khokhlova
• korean studies
• the main things in history
• readership
• stimulation of interest