As its exclamatory title announces straightaway, the exhibition called Russia! at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is an event that commands attention. Fortunately, it’s also an exhibition that rewards however much attention we can give it. For newcomers to Russian art—a large and complicated subject that involves politics and religion almost as much as art itself—the show provides a comprehensive survey: It encompasses achievements in Russian art and art collection from the 13th century to modern times. Even for those of us who acquainted themselves with Russia and its art in the Soviet era, this is a show featuring a good many works that were not then accessible to foreign visitors.
more from Hilton Kramer at The New York Observer here.