Fedor Gadaev (1858-1896)

VIEWS OF THE CAUCASUS, 1895. A group of albumen prints (6), mounted to original presentation card with decorative borders, printed series title and decorative attributions in Russian, image sizes approx 120 x 165mm, card sizes 220 x 270mm, each albumen print titled and numbered in the negative in Russian.

Gadaev was one of the most accomplished photographers in the Caucasus at the end of the 19th century, operating two studios in the towns of Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk. These scenes from the Gadaev's 'Views of the Caucasus' series depict the military road which linked Georgia to Russia through the Caucasus. With these views, Gadaev looked to capitalise on the burgeoning tourist trade along the route, which became a popular destination after the death of Russian poet and writer Mikhail Lermontov (1814-1841), who was exiled to the Caucasus before his dramatic death during a duel. One of the prints in the present lot depicts a natural cave site in Pyatigorsk, which Lermontov used as a location in his story "The Princess Mary."

Plates include:

View of Mtskheta, Georgian Military Road (2)

Pyatigorsk, Lermontov's Cave

Zheleneznovodsk, Entrance to Mine Tunnel

Devil's Bridge on the Road to Darial, Georgian Military Road

Heights of Gudauri, Georgian Military Road

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