Fans of Russian art will celebrate the publication of this vast catalogue, which includes hundreds of art works, biographies of the artists, and scholarly assessments of careers that both defied and adhered to the Soviet Union's strict policies regarding style and content. Drawn from the internationally renowned "Ludwig Collection", the pieces are presented without political prejudice so that they can be appreciated for their artistic value. Essays discuss the artists' significant contributions to European art. In addition, cultural critics respond to questions regarding the socio-political climate of the three decades preceding and immediately following Glasnost, rounding out this book, which examines the Russian and Soviet artistic output that appeared from 1962 to 1995.