Lot Essay
Esfir I. Shub (1894-1959) was a film maker and member of the Oktiabr group of artists, architects, writers and designers associated with the eponymous magazine (Union of New Departures in Artistic Work). She is particularly known for her innovative use of archive film within the documentary genre. Her films include The Fall of the House of Romanov, The Great Path and The Russia of Nicholas II and Leo Tolstoy. Her husband, Aleksei Gan, was a leading designer and founder member with Rodchenko and Stepanova of the 'First Working Group of Constructivists'.