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Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

Modernism and the Russians

Chapter 32: The Modernist Assault

Humanities 103

Spring 2005

Instructor Beth Camp

Challenge Questions:

In what way does a government control art and artists? Are any paintings in this slideshow considered propaganda?

Which paintings do you think could be considered Impressionist? Post-Impressionist? Modern? Cubist? Futurist? Fauvist? Why?

Background to Russian Modernism...

Imperial Russia = Tzars wanted to be great “European” powers, expansionist and despotic.

Tzar Alexander II emancipated serfs in 1861 but he was assassinated in 1881. Harsher governments resulted.

1904 Russia defeated by Japan, peasants hungry, students protesting, workers striking – These factors led to end of the Tzar’s rule and the Russian Revolution, 1917

Icon as Key Symbol and Influence in Russian Painting

Icon = holy image typically painted on wood, emphasizes religious and spiritual values and beliefs

Not representational art, but simple, flat figures; symbolic colors, no natural source of light, can show simultaneous time

Religious ideas more important than reality

Psychological perspective

Russian Impressionists

The following slides represent work by relatively unknown Russian artists who ultimately took great risks to paint in a more modern style.

Liubov Popova (1889-1924)

Considered most famous female Russian Impressionist

“Representation of reality – without artistic deformation and transformation – cannot be the subject of painting.” (1919)

Can you see the influence of icon painting, cubism and other avant-garde ideas (futurism) in her works?

Popova

“Sketch for Portrait” (1915)

Popova

“Painterly Architectonics” (1916)

Marc Chagall (1887-1985)

Failed first art examinationInspired by Jewish heritage,

scriptures, Russian icons1910, moved to Paris; influenced by

cubism1914 returned to Russia, 1923

returned to Paris

Self-portrait with seven fingers

Chagall

Chagall

Me and My Village

Filonov (1883-1941)

1910, expelled Academy of Arts, Moscow

1913 travelled to Italy, FrancePoetry, illustrator, theorist, painter1919 exhibit in PetrogradOstracized for his controversial work Died siege of Leningrad, 1941

Filonov

The Collective Farmworker

Filanov

The Holy Family

Filonov (1883-1941)

“The artist-proletarian’s obligation is not only to create works that answer the demands of today, but also to open the way to intellect into the distant future.”

“Think persistently and accurately over every atom of the work you are doing.”

Natal’ia Goncharova (1881-1962)

Began with sculpture, then paintingFavorite theme: working Russian

peasantsInfluenced by icons and poster

design for for Russian printsExhibited 700 paintings in one-

woman show, August 1913

Natal’ia Goncharova (1881-1962)

“In the Artist’s Studio” (1907-1908)“Green and Yellow Forest” (1912)“The Cyclist” (1912-1913)

Goncharova

In the artist’s studio, 1907-1908

Goncharova

The Green and Yellow Forest, 1912

Next: The Cyclist, 1912-1913

Kandinskii (1866-1944)

Painter, printmaker, stage designer, decorative artist, theorist

Interested in Russian folk artAge 30 from lawyer to artistDrawn to art that expresses “inner

soul”

Kandinskii

Blue Mountain, 1906-1911

Kandinskii

Improvisation 6 (African), 1896-1911

Next: Flood Improvisation, 1911-1914

Kandinskii (1866-1944)

“Color is the power which directly influences the soul. Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with the strings. The artist is the hand which plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul”

– Munich, 1896-1911 (1)

Kandinskii (1866-1944)

“Moscow” (1914-1921)“Several Circles” (Bauhaus, 1922-

1933)“Colorful Ensemble” (Paris, 1934-

1944)

Malevich (1878-1935)

Cubo-Futurism unique to RussiaMost Russian artists painted “Cubo-

Futurism” before moving to nonobjective art

Seen as process of “freeing itself” from European influence by focusing on Russian experiences

Malevich (1878-1935)

“Self Portrait”“Taking in the Harvest”“Girls in a Field” (1928-1930)

Challenge Questions:

In what way does a government control art and artists? Are any paintings in this slideshow considered propaganda?

Which paintings do you think could be considered Impressionist? Post-Impressionist? Modern? Why?

Sources of Slides...

Portland Art Museum exhibit: “Painting Revolution: Kandinsky, Malevich and the Russian Avant-Garde” (November 1, 2000-January 7, 2001), Portland, Oregon.

Alexander Boguslawski. “Russian Painting” site: http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian (1998-2000)

Portland Art Museum: Picasso Postcard (Robert Doisneau)