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Modernism and the Russians Chapter 32: The Modernist Assault Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. 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 examination Inspired by Jewish heritage, scriptures, Russian icons 1910, moved to Paris; influenced by cubism 1914 returned to Russia, 1923 returned to Paris

Self-portrait with seven fingers Chagall

Filonov (1883-1941) 1910, expelled Academy of Arts, Moscow 1913 travelled to Italy, France Poetry, illustrator, theorist, painter 1919 exhibit in Petrograd Ostracized for his controversial work Died siege of Leningrad, 1941

Filonov The Collective Farmworker

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 painting Favorite theme: working Russian peasants Influenced by icons and poster design for for Russian prints Exhibited 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 art Age 30 from lawyer to artist Drawn 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 Russia Most 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 �ݺ�ߣs... 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)

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