This article presents an interpretation of literary activity of M. Yu. Lermontov, from a new perspective of culturology. It is analyzed within the context of the pre-history of Russian existentialism as a philosophy of being. The authors argue that the images found in many Lermontov’s literary and drama works (both romantic and realistic) are not only multifaceted conceptual and artistic creations; they also possess deeper moral and philosophical meaning. This allows to examine existential aspects in Lermontov’s art.