2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
The term "socialist realism" appeared in 1934 at the congress of writers after the report made by M. Gorky. At first, the concept was reflected in the charter of Soviet writers. It was vague and indistinct, described the ideological education based on the spirit of socialism, outlined the basic rules for displaying life in a revolutionary way. At first, the term was applied only to literature, but then it spread to the whole culture in general and the visual arts in particular. The first paintings of socialist realism were born.
Style Features
The main focus was the plot, which involved the viewer, evoked a sense of belonging and compassion. Due to the emotional response and simplicity, the paintings are understandable and close to every viewer. In the characters of the canvases, art lovers recognize themselves. However, art has always been a powerful means of influencing minds, therefore, to the fullused by the authorities to achieve their own interests. Although the existence of freedom of speech was not disputed, nevertheless, art objects served primarily to promote communist ideas, and only then - for the aesthetic enjoyment of the audience. The purpose of painting was to depict the greatness of the working class, the inevitability of a bright, happy future and the superiority of society over the individual.
The concept of social realism implied the transformation of people's lives according to the principles of communist ideals. Its main characteristics were:
- pathos;
- nationality;
- positive, cheerfulness;
- Inseparability of the individual from society.
The style lasted until the mid-80s of the last century.
Artist communities
Since the manifestation of individuality was not welcomed, and the financial situation of Soviet citizens did not favor the acquisition of art objects, the state became the main customer and consumer of artistic creativity. Culture served as nothing more than a way to spread Soviet propaganda. The harsh reality forced the artists to create only what the officials needed. This rule extended to the subject, technique, and form of the image. Although the orders were not direct and the masters could theoretically create on their own, there was a pro-government censorship that made decisions about the fate of a particular canvas. This authority decided which artists and paintings of socialist realism to attend the exhibition,whose work to encourage, and whose - to blame. Often in this role were the so-called professional critics. They voiced the verdict, which had already been pronounced in the highest echelons of power. In those days, there were many art communities, but they were gradually forced out and destroyed by the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia, which received all state orders. The plots created by the Association were simple, unpretentious and understandable to everyone. It was this aesthetic that laid the foundation for social realism.
Other styles are unclaimed. Although the artists could work in different directions, they remained invisible to the viewer. Periodically, the masters united in communities, but such associations were short-lived.
Style features
Paintings of Soviet socialist realism often differed in scale and scope. Horizontally oriented landscapes personified Russian expanses. Many artists of this era used the majestic panoramic landscape to depict the leader.
Another characteristic feature of paintings in the style of socialist realism was the apotheosis. Apotheotic canvases were painted on the basis of historical events and scenes of ordinary, everyday life. Canvases certainly demonstrated abundance, a sense of joy and belonging, a sense of the fullness of life and fulfilled hopes. For example, the socialist realist painting "On the Raft" (pictured below), by J. Romas, depicts a simple everyday life without embellishment. It successfully combines the eternal for the Russian landscapepainting, the image of a serene region and elements of a genre painting, so popular in Soviet art of the 1940-1950s.
Also in painting and paintings of socialist realism, the technique of hyperbolization is widely used. The canvases depict giant buildings, industrialization. The main features include gigantism, exaggeration of volumes and scales. They made the image more dense, heavy, material.
Monumentalism is reflected in everything, even banal still lifes. Abundance is depicted on the tables, huge pieces of meat, fish, whole bird carcasses, vegetables, large goblets for drinks. In the fine arts, everything heavy, massive, large was valued. Athletes were drawn powerful, female silhouettes - portly. This technique was intended to embody strength, omnipotence and vitality.
In the paintings of socialist realism there is often a futuristic vector: the canvases depict a prosperous communist future. Thus, in the minds of the masses, the authorities tried to fix the idea of the inevitability of the victory of socialism. Emphasizing the artist's own style was suppressed in every possible way. It was believed that personal style prevents the master from being sincere. The paradox of socialist art was that totalitarianism portrayed humanity, caring for people from the perspective of building a new world. At the same time, alternative art demonstrated the individuality, personality, humanity of an individual citizen.
Tatiana Yablonskaya
Tatyana Yablonskaya - one of the best representatives of the masters of the erasocial realism. Critics took her first works coldly, but the artist did not give up. An outstanding painting of socialist realism (pictured below) is the famous canvas "Bread", which was awarded the Stalin Prize. Other works by the author - "At the Start", "Spring", "Bride" - also received high marks and earned people's love.
Fyodor Reshetnikov
Fyodor Reshetnikov - the author of the famous painting "Again the deuce". The paintings of this artist of socialist realism are recognizable and loved by many generations. The author's father, a hereditary icon painter, Fyodor's elder brother, Vasily, also moonlighted as a church painter. Thanks to his talent, the young artist Fyodor Reshetnikov earned the right to go on a polar expedition as an artist-reporter. After the trip, the young man became famous and popular.
Arkady Plastov
Arkady Plastov, People's Artist of the USSR, was also born into a family of icon painters. He received his art education in Moscow, and then returned to his native village of Prislonikha, Ulyanovsk region. His work is characterized by the image of embellished rural Soviet life. However, some artificiality of the characters is in harmony with the skill of the author. As a rule, the characters were real people, fellow villagers of the author.
Ilya Mashkov
The brushes of Ilya Mashkov belong to such examples of social realism as"Livadia Peasant Resort", "Collective Farm Woman with Pumpkins", "Girl from a Tobacco Plantation", "Soviet Bread", "Moscow Food". The artist was born into a family of small merchants. Parents did not think about their son's career, and after graduating from school, the boy became an apprentice in a grocery store. Here he began to draw signs and became interested in fine arts. Ilya graduated from art school, founded the famous art association "Jack of Diamonds", was an honored worker of arts of the RSFSR.
Alexander Deineka
Alexander Deineka - an outstanding Soviet painter, graphic artist, sculptor, teacher. The paintings of socialist realism in his performance are filled with light, warmth, human feelings and emotions are clearly read in them. The artist created paintings in a romantic style, landscapes, socio-political drawings, illustrations in children's books.
Pictures of socialist realism are a natural product of their time. It was discarded in the 90s for lack of aesthetics, but is now making a comeback. Art connoisseurs, fed up with subtle elegance and complexity of form, are looking for authenticity, their own roots, nostalgic for the past, which seems not so far away. The beginning of the 20th century was filled with events and became extremely fruitful in terms of creativity. The paintings showed folk life, nature, social events in a rich, sincere manner.
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