# State Institute of Art History

> Russian university

**Wikidata**: [Q4146802](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4146802)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/state-institute-of-art-history

## Summary
The State Institute of Art History was a Russian university founded in 1912 in Saint Petersburg. It operated under various names through the Russian Empire and Soviet Union periods before being dissolved in 1931.

## Key Facts
- Founded on March 2, 1912, in Saint Petersburg
- Operated under three official names: Институт истории искусств (1912-1920), Российский институт истории искусств (1920-1925), and Государственный институт истории искусств (1925-1931)
- Located in the Russian Empire (1912-1917) and Soviet Union (1917-1931)
- Viaf ID: 134970762
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11_ygkg27
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n88055872
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007453185805171
- Dissolved in 1931

## FAQs
### Q: When was the State Institute of Art History founded?
A: The State Institute of Art History was founded on March 2, 1912, in Saint Petersburg.

### Q: What were the different names of the institute during its existence?
A: The institute operated under three names: Институт истории искусств (1912-1920), Российский институт истории искусств (1920-1925), and Государственный институт истории искусств (1925-1931).

### Q: Where was the State Institute of Art History located?
A: The institute was located in Saint Petersburg, operating in both the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
The State Institute of Art History represented a significant development in Russian art historical education and research during a transformative period in Russian history. Founded in 1912, it emerged during the twilight of the Russian Empire and continued through the Russian Revolution and early Soviet period, adapting to the changing political landscape. As an institution dedicated to art history, it played a crucial role in developing Russian scholarship in this field, training specialists, and preserving cultural heritage during a time of great social and political upheaval. Its dissolution in 1931 reflects the broader transformations in Soviet education and cultural policy during the early Stalinist period.

## Notable For
- One of the earliest specialized institutions for art history education in Russia
- Adapted to three different political regimes while maintaining its educational mission
- Trained multiple generations of art historians during a critical period of Russian cultural development
- Preserved and studied Russian art heritage during times of political transformation
- Represented the intersection of academic scholarship and state cultural policy in early 20th century Russia

## Body
### Historical Development
The State Institute of Art History was established on March 2, 1912, during the Russian Empire period. It began operations in Saint Petersburg, a city with rich cultural heritage that made it an ideal location for art historical studies.

### Name Changes and Political Transitions
The institute underwent three official name changes that corresponded with major political transitions:
- Initially named Институт истории искусств (Institute of Art History) from 1912 to 1920
- Renamed Российский институт истории искусств (Russian Institute of Art History) from 1920 to 1925
- Finally became Государственный институт истории искусств (State Institute of Art History) from 1925 to 1931

### Geographic and Political Context
The institute operated in two different political entities:
- Russian Empire (1912-1917)
- Soviet Union (1917-1931)

### Educational Mission
As a university-level institution, it provided specialized education in art history, training scholars and specialists in the field. The institute's curriculum and research focus would have evolved with the changing political landscape, from imperial to revolutionary to early Soviet periods.

### Legacy and Documentation
The institute's existence is documented through various authority files and identifiers:
- Viaf ID: 134970762
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n88055872
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007453185805171
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11_ygkg27

### Dissolution
The institute was dissolved in 1931, marking the end of its 19-year existence. This dissolution occurred during the early Stalinist period when many educational institutions underwent reorganization as part of broader Soviet cultural policies.

## References

1. Source
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File