Visit to the Russian State Museum

On July 11th, I had my final meeting with my Community Consultant. We met at the Russian State Museum, a museum dedicated to only Russian art. There is art of many forms from various time periods. We walked through the early 19th century, to see what art looked like pre-revolution. We then explored the porcelain from the Soviet time period. The Soviet leaders wanted to promote the regime and they decided to put propaganda on popular household items. This put Soviet propaganda in every home. Many plates had a hammer and sickle along with slogans glorifying the regime. Chess sets were made to depict the fight of the revolution. Even textiles held hidden (or not so hidden) propaganda. Pieces of textiles that could have been cheaply purchased, held designs of planes, tractors, fields, and the hammer and sickle. There were reminders of the regime everywhere.

Soviet style plate showing the hammer and sickle, but while keeping a
simple design. 

Another Soviet Era plate. The "F" for Federation is constructed out of flowers
to depict the beauty and glorify the founding of the new and better Union.

Another plate showing the hammer and sickle.

Textile showing tractors in order to glorify the farmers and working people.

Textile showing factories in order to glorify industry and the working people.

Another textile- this one consists of the hammer and sickle. 

This is a chess set showing the reds versus the whites. The "pawns" on the red side are all farmers/workers.
All of the white pieces are in chains. 

Beside the plates having propaganda, a new style of design was commonly used. Simple shapes and lines were used to decorate the plates. The simplicity was used to signify the new times and also highlight the importance of simple lives, not tainted with extra, unneeded additions. This style was supposed to be new and different, as a way to distance the new regime from the time of the czars.

A set of dishes with a simple pattern, using only simple colors and shapes. 

Another set of dishes with simple colors and a simple design.

As we entered the paintings gallery, we looked for art from the 1930's and found almost nothing. There was art from the very early 1900's and then lots of art from the 1970's. By the 1960's the level of censorship had dropped dramatically, so these paintings were very free to be any style. The paintings that were in the museum from the correct time period, were not prime examples of Socialist Realism. There were some works of art from artists who were part of the Soviet Union of Artists and thus followed the guidelines and painted acceptable art, but the examples in the museum were fairly boring. There were some still-lifes and portraits. Elena pointed out the paintings she thought best fit into the category of Socialist Realism and so we looked at those. We discussed what made them Socialist Realist paintings, but then at the same time, why they should not be fully considered Socialist Realist.

Interview one: What is Socialist Realism and some examples

During the Soviet era, artists had to be a part of the Soviet Union of Artists in order to become successful. When one was a member, he was ensured materials, space to paint, housing, and of course lots of money. The artists who were not part of the Union struggled to sell their art. They had to make money in other ways because they had no governmental support. Artists became very divided during that time period. They were either loyal to the regime or not.

The art had very academic topics. The artists in the Union were educated in specific institutions and thus they all learned the accepted styles and topics. In the early periods of the Soviet era the art was very dark. Most paintings contained images of people, usually with one main figure (Commonly Lenin or Stalin). The art aimed to remind the people about the formation of the Soviet Union. The art typically depicts the growth of the nation as a result of communism.

Many artists completely avoided the subject of politics in order to avoid conflicting ideology. Landscapes were not popular subject matters, but they were easier to paint since they lacked political messages.

юрий тулин painting from 1952.
It is a big painting showing many contemporary
 people doing seemingly normal things. It is less gloomy than previous paintings.

The General History of Art in Russia

Orest Kiprensky, 1782-1836
Portrait of Alexander Pushkin, 1827. 
Example of Romanticism 

Understanding basic art history is necessary to understand art of a certain time period.When I met with my community consultant, we began speaking arout the 9th to the 13th century. The three main centers for Russian culture were Novgorod, Kiev, and Vladimir -Suzdal area. In 862 Rurik was elected the prince of Novgorod and this is seen as the beginning point of Russian history. In 882 Oleg, Rurik's successor conquered Kiev and Kievan Rus started. Vladimir the Great then accepted Orthodox Christianity from Byzantium in 980. This resulted in religious influences in art becoming very prominent. In the 9th century, Cyril and Methodium were credited with creating the Cyrillic alphabet. Many churches built around this time were made with a pyramidal structure, following the design of the domed basilica of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Norgorod became a republic in 1136. The city was part of an extensive trade route that spanned all the way to London. The results of the trade route were the sharing of ideas and artistic styles.

Vladimir Borovikovsky, 1757-1825 
Portrait of Catherine II, Empress of Russia, 1794 Example of Sentimentalism  

In the late 18th century, most art had clear European influences. The main styles included Neo-Classicism, Sentimentalism, and Romanticism. Later came the Wanderers Movement. These artists aimed to be realistic in the subject of the paintings. The 1860's themes in art consisted of Realism, Populism, and National Identity. Many painters focused on history, portraits of strong figures, and genre painting with strong themes.

Dmitry Levitzky,  1735-1822
Catherine II as Legislator in the Temple of the Goddess of Justice, 1783
Example of Neo- Classicism 

Vasily Perov. "Troika". Apprentice Workmen Carrying Water. 1866.
Example from time period of Wanderers