Russian Portraits

"Russian Portraits" by Clare Sheridan is a compilation of the author's experiences in Russia after its revolution, giving us a peek into her life as a portrait artist among important Bolsheviks like Kameneff and Trotsky. Sheridan's writing goes beyond just politics, painting a picture of the people behind the revolution and showing their humanity. Starting with her initial hesitation about documenting her Russian adventure, she recalls her first meeting with Mr. Kameneff, a major Soviet leader, as they arranged for her to sculpt his bust. These early parts of the book show her interest in and worry about the revolution, with her noticing the clerks in Kameneff's office as signs of the changing society. Sheridan also shares interesting talks with the people she sculpts, where they discuss their opinions on art, society, and the new ideas spreading, all while she deals with the difference between her British background and the lively, but disorganized, world around her.