significance. The opening of this lexicon sets the stage for an extensive compilation of information about Baltic artists, deriving its content from earlier records and bibliographies accumulated by Julius Döring before his passing. It acknowledges the collaborative efforts and sources utilized in compiling this reference, including newspaper articles and existing literature related to the artistic community in the region. Additionally, it mentions the intention to document not just native artists but also those who settled and worked in the Baltic provinces, ensuring a comprehensive overview of artistic contributions throughout the area. Overall, the prelude emphasizes the historical context and the meticulous effort required to gather and verify information about the artists included. (This is an automatically generated summary.)