Unframed Facsimile – Nikolai Akimov – “Motley Tales” after Chekhov – 1960 – Leningrad State Comedy Theatre

A museum-quality reproduction of a rare and distinguished 1960 Soviet theatrical poster — Nikolai Akimov’s design for his own production of Motley Tales (Пёстрые рассказы) after Anton Chekhov at the Leningrad State Comedy Theatre, created to mark the global centenary of Chekhov’s birth (1860–1960). Printed on museum-quality matte paper, ready to frame to your own specification.

Akimov structured the entire composition around a giant cascading scroll of paper that doubles as a winding staircase, its folds populated with vivid caricature-style illustrations of classic Chekhovian characters — eccentric aristocrats with umbrellas, dashing bachelors, frantic carriage riders, and a hidden peering policeman — with “А. Чехов” stylised down the central white scroll. One of the most singular figures in Soviet cultural life, Akimov was simultaneously a theatre director of national renown and a graphic artist of exceptional refinement — named People’s Artist of the USSR in the very year of this poster’s run. A compelling piece for collectors of Soviet graphic design, Chekhov enthusiasts, or admirers of mid-century theatrical art.

Publication Details
Artist & Director: Nikolai Akimov (Николай Павлович Акимов), 1901–1968 — People’s Artist of the USSR
Production: Motley Tales (Пёстрые рассказы) — after Anton Chekhov
Year: 1960 (designed 1959)
Theatre: Leningrad State Comedy Theatre, Leningrad (St. Petersburg), USSR
Original medium: Offset lithograph on paper
Style: Soviet Mid-Century / Theatrical Graphic Design

Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.

• Original poster size: 60 × 90 cm (23 × 35″)
• Print size: 24 × 36 in (61 × 91 cm) — the closest standard size to the original
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!