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Illustrating The Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Bloc

Iconographies of Difference

Publication Date

2025

Publication Country

A comprehensive history and analysis of the Soviet illustrated editions of The Lord of the Rings published between 1981 and 1993, this book explores the production and reception of these works against a backdrop of oppressive state censorship, restrictive publishing practices and logistical struggles of translating such long texts. Highlighting the intense creativity, innovation and resourcefulness of illustrators from the USSR, Illustrating The Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Bloc demonstrates how new forms of Tolkienian imagery reforged Western fantasy artwork and brought fresh iconographical diversity to late 20th-century fantasy visuals. In employing comparative analysis to reconcile the neglected Soviet illustrations with their popular Western equivalents, the book situates both pictorial traditions within the wider cultural and political contexts of the period and reflects upon their relevance to current debates regarding visual heterogeneity in fantasy.

Carefully reconstructing the diverse Middle-earth visions of illustrators such as Gyozo Vida, Jerzy Czerniawski, Yassen Panov, Alexander Korotich, Èduard Zarjanskij, Denis Gordeev and Sergei Iukhimov, Illustrating The Lord of the Rings in the Soviet Bloc broadens notions of how Tolkien's work was received beyond Anglo-centric, Western audiences. A vivid record of artistic reception and the permeability of cultural boundaries during the final years of Communist rule, author Joel Merriner offers an art historian's analysis of these illustrations of Tolkien's beloved work and sheds new light on the role of visual art in shaping cultural content.

ISBN

9781350442085

Edition

Impression/Printing

Boxed Set

Language

English

Binding

Hardcover

Page Count

232

List of Illustrations

1. Greg and Tim Hildebrandt. The Balrog. In The 1977 J.R.R. Tolkien Calendar. New York: Ballantine Books, 1976. p. 6

2. Gustave Doré. Illustration for Canto XXXIV, The Divine Comedy, Inferno, c. 1861. Wood engraving. In Le Enfer de Dante Alighieri. Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, Paris, 1861. Wikimedia Commons. p. 6

3. Folio 323r Reinmar von Zweter, Codex Manesse, c. 14th century. University Library of Heidelberg. Wikimedia Commons. p. 15

4. (Left) Győző Vida. Cover illustration for Trisztán és Izolda, 1979. In Günter de Bruyn, Gáspár Soltész, trans., Trisztán és Izolda. Budapest: Gondolat, 1979. (Right) Folio 69r Herr Werner von Teufen (detail), Codex Manesse, c. 14th century. University Library of Heidelberg. Wikimedia Commons. p. 26

5. Győző Vida. Dust-jacket illustrations for A Gyűrű Szövetsége, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Ádám Réz and Árpád Göncz, The Fellowship of the Ring (A Gyűrű Szövetsége). Budapest: Gondolat, 1981. p. 29

6. Győző Vida. Dust-jacket illustrations for A Két Torony, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Ádám Réz and Árpád Göncz, The Two Towers (A Két Torony). Budapest: Gondolat, 1981. p. 32

7. Győző Vida. Dust-jacket illustrations for A Király Visszatér, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Ádám Réz and Arpád Göncz, The Return of the King (A Király Visszatér). Budapest: Gondolat, 1981. p. 34

8. (Left) Bronze statue of Matthias I of Hungary and Croatia, Cluj-Napoca, 1896-1902, János Fadrusz. Wikimedia Commons. (Right) bronze statue of János Hunyadi, Pécs, 1956, Pál Pátzay. Wikimedia Commons. p. 35

9. Győző Vida. Heraldic escutcheons, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Ádám Réz and Árpád Göncz, The Lord of the Rings (A Gyűrűk Ura). Budapest: Gondolat, 1981. p. 37

10. Jerzy Czerniawski. Dust-jacket illustration for Wyprawa (detail), 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Fellowship of the Ring (Wyprawa). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 50

11. Quentin Metsys, Christ as the Man of Sorrows, c. 1520-1530. Oil on panel. 495 × 370 mm. J. Paul Getty Museum. p. 52

12. Jerzy Czerniawski. Back endpaper illustration for Wyprawa (detail), 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Fellowship of the Ring (Wyprawa). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 56

13. Jerzy Czerniawski. Endpaper illustrations for Władca Pierścieni, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Lord of the Rings (Władca Pierścieni). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 57

14. Jerzy Czerniawski. Dust-jacket illustration for Dwie Wieże, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Two Towers (Dwie Wieże). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 59

15. Jerzy Czerniawski. Dust-jacket illustration for Powrót króla (detail), 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Return of the King (Powrót króla). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 61

16. Jerzy Czerniawski. Books One to Six illustrations for Władca Pierścieni, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Lord of the Rings (Władca Pierścieni). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 63

17. Jerzy Czerniawski. Book Two illustration for Władca Pierścieni, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Lord of the Rings (Władca Pierścieni). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 65

18. Jerzy Czerniawski. Book Six illustration for Władca Pierścieni, 1981. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Maria Skibniewska, The Lord of the Rings (Władca Pierścieni). Warsaw: Czytelnik, 1981. p. 67

19. (Left) Mikhail Belomlinskij. Illustration for Khobbit, 1976. In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Nataliya Rakhmanova, The Hobbit or There and Back Again (Khobbit ili Tuda I Obratno). Moscow: Detskaya Literatura, 1976. (Right). ITAR-TASS News Agency. Evgenij Leonov, 1978. p. 74

20. Gennadij Kalinovskij. Cover illustration for Khraniteli, 1982. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev and Andrej Kistyakovskij trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Khraniteli). Moscow: Detskaya Literatura, 1982. p. 77

21. Gennadij Kalinovskij. Endpaper and full-page illustrations for Khraniteli, 1982. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev and Andrej Kistyakovskij trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Khraniteli). Moscow: Detskaya Literatura, 1982. p. 78

22. Gennadij Kalinovskij. Chapter header and initials for Khraniteli, 1982.
In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev and Andrej Kistyakovskij trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Khraniteli). Moscow: Detskaya Literatura, 1982. p. 82

23. Gennadij Kalinovskij. Chapter initials for Khraniteli, 1982. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev and Andrej Kistyakovskij trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Khraniteli). Moscow: Detskaya Literatura, 1982. p. 85

24. Kh. Khomeriki. Cover illustrations for Vlastelin Kolets, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Tiblisi: Sistemotekhnik, 1992. p. 93

25. Èduard Zarjanskij. Cover illustrations for Vlastelin Kolets, 1989, 1991, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev, trans., The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Raduga, 1989-1992. p. 94

26. Rolf Mueller. Rock art, c. 1st-3rd century BCE, Zuojian Huashan in Guangxi, China, 2010. Wikimedia Commons. p. 97

27. Èduard Zarjanskij. Chapter initials for Vlastelin Kolets, 1989. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev, trans., The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Raduga, 1989-1992. p. 99

28. Èduard Zarjanskij. Illustration for Book One of Khraniteli, 1989. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev, trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Khraniteli). Moscow: Raduga, 1989. p. 100

29. (Right) Èduard Zarjanskij. Illustration for Khraniteli, 1989. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Vladimir Muravev, trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Khraniteli). Moscow: Raduga, 1989. p. 102

30. Miriam Ellis. When Sam Spoke to Rosie at Cotton's Farm, 2024. Acrylic 20" x 24". Copyright Miriam Ellis 2024. p. 105

31. Petyr Chuklev. Illustration for Bilbo Begins ili Dotam i obratno, 1975. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Krasimira Todorova and Asen Todorov trans., The Hobbit or There and Back Again (Bilbo Begins ili Dotam i obratno). Sofia: Narodna Mladezh, 1975. p. 110

32. Sotir Gelev. Illustration for Bilbo Begins (detail), 1989. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Sotir Gelev trans., The Hobbit or There and Back Again (Bilbo Begins ili Dotam i obratno). Sofia: Daga, 1989. p. 111

33. Yassen Panov. Illustrations for Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume Two, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelinat Na Prastenite) Volume Two, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1991. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 114

34. Yassen Panov. Illustration for Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume One, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelinat Na Prastenite) Volume One, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1990. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 117

35. Yassen Panov. Illustration for Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume Two, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelinat Na Prastenite) Volume Two, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1991. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 118

36. Yassen Panov. Illustration for Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume One, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vastelinat Na Prastenite), Volume One, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1990. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 121

37. Yassen Panov. Illustration for Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume One, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelinat Na Prastenite), Volume One, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1990. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 123

38. Yassen Panov. Illustration for Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume Two, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelinat Na Prastenite), Volume Two, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1991. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 125

39. Yassen Panov. Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume One dust-jacket, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelinat Na Prastenite), Volume One, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1990. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 127

40. Yassen Panov. Vlastelinat Na Prastenite, Volume Two dust-jacket, 1990. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Lyubomir Nikolov, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vastelinat Na Prastenite), Volume Two, Sofia: Narodna Kultura, 1991. Yassen Panov, artist. p. 131

41. Alexander Korotich. Balrog fight, c. 1985. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 141

42. Alexander Korotich. Rivendell, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 143

43. Alexander Korotich. Cry of Gimli, c. 1986. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 144

44. Alexander Korotich. Ent, Merry and Pippin, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 145

45. Alexander Korotich. Éowyn and the Witch-king, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 147

46. John Tenniel. The Jabberwocky, 1871. In Lewis Carroll Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. London: Macmillan, 1871. Wikimedia Commons. p. 148

47. Alexander Korotich. The Corsairs, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 150

48. Alexander Korotich. Music of the Ainur, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 151

49. Alexander Korotich. Valinor, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 152

50. Alexander Korotich. Dwarven Family Tree, c. 1985-1992. © Alexander Korotich, 1985-1992. p. 154

51. (Left) Denis Gordeev. Cover illustration for Bratstvo Kol'tsa (detail), 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigoreva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Bratstvo Kol'tsa). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. (Right) Johannes Vermeer. Officer and Laughing Girl, c. 1657. Oil on canvas. 50.5 cm x 46. Cm. The Frick Collection.
Wikimedia Commons. p. 158

52. Denis Gordeev. Cover illustration for Dve Kreposti, 1992. In J.R.R Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 160

53. Denis Gordeev. Cover illustration for Vozvrashchenie Korolya, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 161

54. Denis Gordeev. Illustration for Bratstvo Kol'tsa, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Bratstvo Kol'tsa). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 163

55. Denis Gordeev. Illustration for Bratstvo Kol'tsa, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Bratstvo Kol'tsa). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 164

56. Denis Gordeev. Illustrations for Bratstvo Kol'tsa, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Fellowship of the Ring (Bratstvo Kol'tsa). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 165

57. Denis Gordeev. Illustrations for Dve Kreposti, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Two Towers (Dve Kreposti). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 165

58. Denis Gordeev. Illustrations for Vozvrashchenie Korolya, 1992. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans., The Return of the King (Vozvrashchenie Korolya). St Petersburg: Severo-Zapad, 1992. p. 166

59. Sergei Iukhimov. Iarwain Ben-adar, 1987. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 174

60. Folio 25v Moutier-Grandval Bible, c. 9th century. British Library. Wikimedia Commons. p. 176

61. Sergei Iukhimov. Witch-king, 1987. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigoreva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel, 1993. p. 182

62. Sergei Iukhimov. Bridge of Khazad-dûm (detail), 1988. In In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 185

63. Sergei Iukhimov. Ring-bearers' Ship, 1988. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigoreva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel, 1993. p. 187

64. Albrecht Dürer. The Adoration of the Lamb, 1496-1498. In Apocalipsis cum figuris, 1496-1498. Houghton Library, Harvard University. Wikimedia Commons. p. 189

65. Sergei Iukhimov. Faramir, Gollum, Frodo and Sam (detail), 1991. p. 190

66. Sergei Iukhimov. Taming of Sméagol, 1991. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij, trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 192

67. Sergei Iukhimov. Tuor, c. 1992. In Mallorn 29 (1992), 43. p. 194

68. Sergei Iukhimov. Tuor and Voronwë, 1991. In Mallorn 29 (1992), 58. p. 195

69. Cover illustrations for Vlastelin Kolets, c. 1993, Sergei Iukhimov (left and centre), unidentified artist (right). In J.R.R. Tolkien, trans. Natalya Grigoreva and Vladimir Grushetskij, The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 197

70. Sergei Iukhimov. Illustration for Vlastelin Kolets (detail), c. 1991. p. 198

71. Sergei Iukhimov. Samwise the brave, 1987. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 199

72. Sergei Iukhimov. Frodo's Farewell to Bag End, 1991. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 201

73. Sergei lukhimov. King Elessar, 1987. In J.R.R. Tolkien, Natalya Grigor'eva and Vladimir Grushetskij trans. The Lord of the Rings (Vlastelin Kolets). Moscow: Izdatel', 1993. p. 203

74. Sergei lukhimov. Fingolfin and Morgoth, 1993. p. 204

75. Bloody Skulls Division Pikeman, 2022, Joel Merriner. p. 208

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