“Orbis Pictus” receptions: “Everything in pictures” by Avgusta Pchelnikova (1862)

Abstract

“Orbis sensualium pictus” by Jan Amos Comenius is one of the most famous textbooks in the world. It was translated into many languages, gained functional diversity and numerous receptions. The authors actively used both the form proposed by Comenius and the idea of combining a language textbook with an encyclopedia of the surrounding world. One of these receptions was “Orbis pictus”. Bilderbuch zur Anschauung und Belehrung. Bearbeitet von Carl Lauckhard (1857, Germany). Lauckhardt’s work did not literally follow the logic and sequence of Comenius’ manual topics. Most of the subjects were retained, as if the “pictures” had been scattered and then reassembled in a different way, resulting in a similar but different “World”. Lauckhardt’s three-volume book is not a language textbook, it is a handbook compiled in the native language of a child who can already read well. It is closer to a natural history textbook, but without the rigorous systematization of the ‘kingdoms of nature’ inherent in that science. This publication deservedly received wide European fame. Among others it was listed by K.D. Ushinsky as one of 12 German and English sources used by him in compiling “Children‘s World”. In 1862 this manual was translated into Russian by Augusta Pchelnikova (Zeidler) and printed by M.O. Wolf. During the translation certain changes were made to the text: additions, cuts and corrections. The translator adapted the content to Russian realities. The article provides a comparative analysis of the original and the translation, and reveals the peculiarities of the Russian edition. Both manuals are considered in the whole context of didactic traditions and book publishing practices