The importance of 'scepticism, pessimism, materialism'. 1924

Maxim Gorky (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, 1868-1936)
The importance of 'scepticism, pessimism, materialism'. 1924
Autograph letter signed to Solomon Gitmanovich [Kaplun], [Sorrento], 1 October 1924.

In Russian. One page, 277 x 213mm. Provenance: Hermitage Fine Art, Monaco, 16 November 2019, lot 1035.

On the importance of 'scepticism, pessimism, materialism' in the development of thought, and with a sarcastic reference to 'the Koran of Karl Marx' and the debased tastes of the modern Russian reader. Kaplun has asked Gorky (via his secretary and lover Moura Budberg) for his view on the series Biblioteca sovremennih znaniy (Library of Modern Knowledge): Gorky confesses his lack of familiarity with the series, and observes that 'the publication plan is not entirely clear', nor what kind of reader it is intended for. He observes that 'The degree of popularity of presentation is rather variable', going on to note the variety of topics, including a university course by Artem'ev, a work about Darwinism, others on polar travel and astronomy, which are written 'heavily and drearily; 'New Poetry by Anuchkov and Zagadka Tolstogo (Tolstoy’s Enigma) by [Mark] Aldonov are superfluous in this series, not to mention that these books will not be allowed inside Russia ... The choice of [Joseph] Kopp as a "leading thinker" is questionable: why is there nothing by Hume? Schopenhauer? Scepticism, pessimism, materialism have no less significance in the development of the spirit than idealism'. The majority of the works in the series will be challenging for the modern Russian reader, and many will become swiftly obsolete because of technological advances; he advises Kaplun to focus more on 'positive sciences' than social sciences, not least because 'all the truth that the Russian people truly require is outlined in the Koran of Karl Marx and in the commentary on it given by the Russian sages'; he goes on with criticisms of the abilities of Evgeny Anichkov and Viktor Shklovsky, and a bitingly cynical conclusion: 'And please tell me: who in Russia now will be willing to read the "History of Slavic Literature"? ... Whereas "Venereal Diseases" will [be read], "Women's Hygiene" will, "Artificial Manufacturing of Substances" will, with much interest'.

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