V. K. Makarov and V. V. Dobrovol’skaya at the Russian Museum: in the service of science and enlightenment

The article highlights the main achievements of two employees – members of the same family who worked at various times in different departments of the Russian Museum but showed themselves equally talented as innovators in certain issues of museum work. The principal areas of activity cover research work in the art museum and educational activities. Vladimir Kuzmich Makarov (1885–1970) was a historian and art critic by education, engaged in museum business, was a member of the artistic and historical commission for the inspection and protection of architectural and cultural sites of Petrodvorets, and for a long time was the curator of palaces and museums in Peterhof. He was also an official employee of the Russian Museum from August 28 to November 21, 1945. Vera Vladimirovna Dobrovol’skaya (Makarova) (1912–1981?) worked at the Russian Museum as acting head of the Department of Aesthetic Education of students (07.23.1952–04.14.1972). The article is based on the analysis of documents from the archive of the State Russian Museum. The share of documents on V. K. Makarov museum’s activities significantly exceeds the body of documents on work at the V. V. Dobrovol’skaya Museum, which is the difficulty of studying the history of educational activities of the Russian Museum.