Last year, we talked about how late 19th century French artists envisaged the year of 2000 AD for the future of mankind, in a set of illustrations known as the En L’An 2000. Well we have come across another nifty example of retro-futuristic art, this time made by Russian artists before the eve of the modern history-changing revolution in 1914. The illustrations depict various parts of the future Moscow in the 23rd century (possibly the year 2259 AD) featuring their fair share of idiosyncratic technologies, ranging from propeller-driven street racing snowmobiles to sky-high transit network for trams. And interestingly enough, this advanced society was still portrayed as a functioning monarchical system of the future – which obviously translates to an irony when perceived in hindsight after the mercurial events post 1914.

The postcards were discovered only a few years ago, after Eyinem, a chocolate company, started reprinting many of the illustrations in their products. And while the artists missed out on their opportunity to foresee the history-shattering upheavals of 20th century, in the form of the First World War and the impending Communist rule in Russia, one can surely admire their imagination when it comes to the scope of retro-futurism.

Via: RussianCulture / MeetTheSlavs