Romantic realism at the exhibition of Soviet art

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Starting from November 4 to December 4, 2015, a thematic art exhibition was held in the Central Exhibition Hall of Moscow. The exposition was called "Romantic Realism, Soviet Painting 1925-1945".

Explosion

The theme of the legacy of the Soviet Union, of course, has always been controversial and controversial. This period can be viewed in different ways. So the exhibition in the Manege "Romantic Realism" was no exception. Some critics reproached her with a veiled sympathy for one of the bloodiest periods of Soviet history, others appreciated the desire to give the art of that era a new breath.

However, like any other art, romantic realism is part of history, and it has the right to be. The search for a new look at the propaganda culture familiar to everyone will probably never lose its relevance. This time, the State Museum and Exhibition Center ROSIZO, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, organized an exhibition dedicated to the theme of Soviet art. The main goal of this project was to clearly show the essence of the Sovietpropaganda and provide the public with the opportunity to see selected works of this period.

Exhibition

Of course, at this exposition one could also meet the works of real giants of the Stalin era - the well-known Isaac Brodsky, the director and screenwriter Sergei Gerasimov, the talented painter Alexander Laktionov. But at the exhibition called "Romantic Realism" paintings were also presented by lesser-known, but by no means less gifted personalities - the Soviet painter and sculptor Alexander Deineka, the artist Alexander Labas - the main representatives of romantic realism. The works of Russian artists Vasily Kuptsov, Nikolai Denisovsky and many other figures of the Soviet Union did not fail to exhibit.

Send

The most interesting thing about this exhibition is the conditions under which it took place. "Romantic Realism" opened simultaneously with the exposition dedicated to Orthodox Russia. Naturally, the themes of these two exhibitions are diametrically opposed. If romantic realism glorifies the spirit of the Soviet past, then a spiritual view on this topic calls into question all the imaginary "achievements" of the Stalinist period. Through the prism of Orthodoxy, the history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is shown as struggle, deprivation, terror and suffering and patient people living in an outstanding state. This is a story about how the country was unlucky with its ruler, a ruthless and bloody tyrant. However, the spiritual exhibition did not seek to revise history or present it in its ownown interpretation. The main task of almost any religious movement is to elevate the martyrs. In this case, they were the Soviet people.

The Orthodox exhibition did not seek to denigrate the culture of the Soviet Union. However, she still made her impression and cast a shadow over the exposition "Romantic Realism". The paintings in the neighboring rooms have an absolutely opposite character - colorful, bright, cheerful sketches, cheerful happy people laughing from them. A bright future seems to be pouring from canvases. So where is the truth? On which side is the truth? Is there any other opinion than these? There are many questions that cannot be answered.

Spectacle

Here they are, the canvases themselves, an exhibition in the arena "Romantic Realism". It is difficult for an ordinary person to imagine or even hard to believe that these pictures, full of joy and light, were painted at a time when Chekists were shooting innocent people in the basements without trial and investigation, and thousands of workers in collective farms and factories were trying to perform another plan. So is what is written true? After viewing the pictures, everyone should answer this question for themselves.

The organizers of the exhibition propose to accept the art of the Stalin era as a tribute to the past, as beautiful captured unfulfilled dreams of a common friendly happy future, the standard of society and the state. That's why the exhibition has a proud dreamy name"Romantic Realism". From some canvases, outstanding personalities and politicians like Stalin or Voroshilov respectfully look at us. A little further from the walls of the exhibition center, full of energy and vitality, gymnasts and athletes look fervently at the visitors. A little further - the majestic architecture of that time, built or conceived. If you do not remember about history, then the spectacle is very impressive. Everything is in the best traditions of Stalinist propaganda.

Conclusions

None of the organizers rejects the martyr history of their own state, but neither denies that such a past can and should be proud of… And painting is needed in order to enjoy it, even if it does not quite truthfully describe the situation. But one way or another, romantic realism as a trend in culture has the right to exist. One has only to remember that not everything is simple that lies on the surface. As in this case.