Money Pouch c. 1839

This is a *Money Pouch* with a depiction of the *Decembrist Revolt*, a failed uprising against Tsar Nicholas I in Russia. The pouch, printed with a *woodcut*, depicts the execution of the rebels in *Saint Petersburg* in 1825. The scene is set against a background of the *Winter Palace*. This small but powerful piece, created by V. S. Aksolsky in 1839, is a reminder of a pivotal moment in Russian history. The *Art Institute of Chicago* houses this historical artifact that tells the story of rebellion and resistance.