2-489-472 - © Fine Art Images/Heritage Images

Anatoly Lunacharsky, Soviet politician, c1917-c1929(?). Lunacharsky (1875-1933) was appointed Soviet People's Commissar of Enlightenment responsible for culture and education after the Russian Revolution. He held the position until 1929 but was removed as Stalin consolidated his power within the Communist Party. In 1930 Lunachasky represented the Soviet Union at the League of Nations. In 1933 he was appointed Soviet ambassador to Spain, but died in Menton, France on his way to taking up the post. Found in the collection of the State Russian Museum, St Petersburg.