Искусство РСФСР

At the end of the fifties and the sixties prints gained great popularity. The flourishing of this genre is above all connected with the work of the pupils and followers of Favorsky, among them the Moscow artists: I. Golitsyn, G. Zakharov, A. Borodin, and K. Nazarov; the Leningraders A. Ushin and V. Vetrogonsky; and artists from the autonomous republics, including A.Sakharovskaya and D.Briukhanov. Their works show certain common stylistic features: an abundance of sharply outlined silhouettes, of dramatic contrasts of black and white and striking compositional schemes. The thematic series of these artists are not merely examples of graphic skill, they are portrayals of life, always seen from an individual point of view, with the stress on the depth, profundity and richness of life. They depict landscapes of the Far North and such regions as Buryatia, Yakutia and the Chuckchee peninsula, and also the life of Moscow, the life of intelligentsia, the life of peasants and workers.

Over the last few years the etching has become as popular as the linocut. Many artists also remain faithful to such techniques as drawing, water-colour and gouache. Water-colours by N. Volkov, V. Alfeyevsky, and A. Kokorin show lyrical townscapes of Moscow, its new and old districts, and other cities or towns of the Soviet Union.

The graphic series by L.Soyfertis devoted to sporting events and the Moscow Metro are notable for their original manner of execution which combines light sophistication with a sharp, almost grotesque element.

The series of easel graphic works by V.Tsigal and N.Ponomariov reflect the artists’ meditations about the people, their work, and their links with nature. Ponomariov’s Vietnam series is interesting not only because of his “discovery” of new motifs, but primarily because of his concern for the life of people fighting for their country’s freedom.

Black-and-white book illustrations extend to all kinds of literature — Russian and world classics, Soviet multinational literature, epic and popular science literature; a large group of illustrators also work for literary periodicals. Book illustrators in Moscow and Leningrad are known for their high standards of book design and illustration, and their view of the book as an integral artistic whole. V.Favorsky continued to work in Moscow to the very end of his life. A. Goncharov, S.Pozharsky, S.Telingater, I. Fomina, E.Burgunker, D.Bisti, and B. Markevich who concentrated mainly on lino- and woodcuts have greatly contributed to book design and illustration. Whole series of book illustrations of great interest have been executed by D.Shmarinov, N. Kuzmin, B.Prorokov, Ye. Kibrik, V.Goriayev, V. Minayev, etc. Among Leningrad artists we should mention V.Konashevich, A. Pakhomov, G.Yepifanov, Ye.Charushin, and Yu. Vasnetsov. The Leningrad school of graphic art has always been famous for children’s books. A pioneer in this field, V. Lebedev developed in a truly creative way the principles of design and illustration of books for the youngest children. He and his pupils have collaborated to good effect with well-known Soviet writers and poets. Lebedev and his pupils have illustrated books by S. Marshak and K. Chukovsky, which have become classics in their own field and attained world fame. These books are constantly being reprinted, they do not lose their aesthetic value as years go by, and they enjoy popularity with every new generation of the readers. Soviet book illustration has achieved international recognition, and many publications have been awarded prizes of various kinds at international competitions.

The great family of Russian artists is increasing year by year. In all regional centres of the republic there are local creative branches of the Artists’ Union of the RSFSR. All kinds of art are developing everywhere. The artists of Russia are with honour preserving and enriching the traditions which had been formed during the over fifty years’ existence of the Soviet state. An active and sincere response to the events in the public life of the country at every stage of its history, the assertion of the lofty human ideals of communist society have always been and remain the most characteristic features of Russian art. Lofty civic feelings, a sense of responsibility, the perfection of professional skill and respect for the great traditions of the past in Russian and world art have always been the basis for the creative endeavours of Soviet artists. These fundamental qualities are relayed from one generation of artists to another.

РЕПРОДУКЦИИ

REPRODUCTIONS

1. А. А. Рылов. В голубом просторе.

1918

A.Rylov. The Blue Expanses

2. Н. А. Андреев.

Ленин — вождь. 1931—1932

N. Andreyev. Lenin the Leader

3. Н. Н. Купреянов. Крейсер

„Аврора”. 1922

N. Kupreyanov. Cruiser “Aurora”

4. И. И. Бродский. В. И. Ленин в Смольном. 1930