The article is devoted to the pictorial works shown in the exhibition “Pages of history of the Mari region from ancient times to the mid – 1980s” of the National Museum of the Republic of Mari El. The report examines the works by A. S. Pushkov, G. A. Medvedev, G. M. Osokin, V. M. Kozmin, P. T. Gorbuntsov, I. A. Mikhaylin, B. I. Osipov, P. S. Dobrynin. The paintings not only have an indisputable artistic value, but also fit perfectly into the overall concept of historical exposition, contribute to the preservation and retransmission of historical and cultural traditions of the peoples of the Republic of Mari El. Many of these works are documented in the literal sense of the word, as they were established by witnesses in the course of direct observation of displayed reality.