The term "socialist realism" appeared in 1934 at a congress of writers after a report made by M. Gorky. At first, the concept was reflected in the charter of Soviet writers. It was vague and fuzzy, described ideological education on the basis of the spirit of socialism, outlined the basic rules for displaying life in a revolutionary manner. At first, the term was applied only to literature, but then it spread to the whole culture as a whole and fine art in particular. The first pictures of socialist realism were born.
Style features
The main focus was the plot, which involved the viewer, aroused a sense of ownership and compassion. Thanks to the emotional response and simplicity, the pictures are understandable and close to each viewer. In the characters of paintings, fans of painting recognize themselves. However, art has always been a powerful means of influencing the minds, so it was fully used by the authorities to achieve their own interests. Although the existence of freedom of speech was not disputed, nevertheless, the objects of art served primarily to promote communist ideas, and only then - for the aesthetic pleasure 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 individuality.
The concept of socialist realism implied the transformation of people's lives according to the principles of communist ideals. Its main characteristics were:
- pathos;
- nationality;
- positive, love of life;
- the inseparability of the individual from society.
The style lasted until the mid 80s of the last century.
Community of Artists
Since the manifestation of individuality was not welcomed, and the financial situation of Soviet citizens did not favor the acquisition of objects of art, the state became the main customer and consumer of art. Culture served as nothing more than a way to disseminate Soviet propaganda. The harsh reality forced the artists to create only what the officials needed. This rule applied to the theme, technique, image form. Although the orders were not direct and the masters could theoretically create on their own, there was pro-government censorship, which made decisions about the fate of a particular canvas. This authority decided which artists and paintings of socialist realism to be present at the exhibition, whose work to encourage, and whose - to condemn. Often in this role were the so-called professional critics. They voiced the verdict, which was already passed in the highest echelons of power. At that time, there were many art communities, but gradually they were supplanted and destroyed by the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia, which received all government orders. The plots created by the Association were simple, unpretentious and understandable to everyone. It was such an aesthetic that was laid in the foundation of socialist realism.
Other styles turn out to be unclaimed. Although artists could work in different directions, they remained invisible to the viewer. Periodically, the masters united in communities, but such associations were short-lived.
Characteristic features of the style
Pictures of Soviet socialist realism were often distinguished by scale and scope. Horizontally oriented landscapes personified the Russian open spaces. Many artists of this era used the majestic panoramic landscape to portray the leader.
Another characteristic feature of paintings in the style of socialist realism was the apotheosis. Apotheous canvases were painted on the basis of historical events and scenes of ordinary, everyday life. Canvases certainly showed abundance, a sense of joy and ownership, a feeling of fullness of life and fulfilled hopes. For example, the picture of socialist realism "On the raft" (pictured below), by J. Romas, depicts a simple everyday life without embellishment. It successfully combines the image of the serene land, eternal for Russian landscape painting, and elements of the genre painting, so popular in Soviet art of 1940-1950.
Also in painting and paintings of socialist realism, the technique of hyperbolization is widely used. The canvases depict gigantic buildings, industrialization. The main features include gigantism, an exaggeration of volumes and scales. They made the image more dense, heavy, material.
Monumentalism is reflected in everything, even banal still lifes. Abundance, huge chunks of meat, fish, whole bird carcasses, vegetables, large goblets for drinks are depicted on tables. In art, everything that was heavy, massive, and large was appreciated. Athletes were drawn powerful, female silhouettes - burly. 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 consciousness of the masses, the authorities tried to consolidate the idea of ​​the inevitability of the victory of socialism. Emphasizing the artist’s own style was in every way suppressed. It was believed that personal style prevents the master from being sincere. The paradox of socialist art was that totalitarianism portrayed humanity, concern for people from the perspective of building a new world. At the same time, alternative creativity demonstrated the individuality, personality, humanity of an individual citizen.
Tatyana Yablonskaya
Tatyana Yablonskaya is one of the best representatives of the masters of the era of socialist realism. Her first works of criticism were taken coldly, but the artist did not give up. The outstanding picture of socialist realism (pictured below) is the famous painting "Bread", which was awarded the Stalin Prize. Other works of the author - "At the Start", "Spring", "Bride" - also received high marks and deserved popular love.
Fedor Reshetnikov
Fedor Reshetnikov is the author of the famous painting "Again Two." 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 worked as a painter of churches. Thanks to his talent, the young artist Fedor Reshetnikov earned the right to go on a polar expedition as a reporter artist. 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 an 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 artificial characters harmoniously combined with the skill of the author. As a rule, the characters were real people, the villagers of the author.
Ilya Mashkov
Ilya Mashkov’s brushes belong to such examples of socialist realism as “Livadia Peasant Resort”, “Collective Farm Girl with Pumpkins”, “Girl from a Tobacco Plantation”, “Soviet Breads”, “Moscow Eating”. The artist was born into a family of small traders. Parents did not think about their son's career, and after graduation, the boy became an apprentice in a grocery store. Here he began to draw signs and became interested in fine art. Ilya graduated from art school, founded the famous art association "Jack of Diamonds", was an honored artist of the RSFSR.
Alexander Deineka
Alexander Deineka is an outstanding Soviet painter, graphic artist, sculptor, and 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 canvases in a romantic style, landscapes, socio-political drawings, illustrations in children's books.
The paintings of socialist realism are a natural product of their time. In the 90s he was rejected due to a lack of aesthetics, but is currently back in fashion. Art lovers, fed up with sophisticated grace and complexity of form, seek authenticity, their own roots, nostalgia for a past that does not seem so distant. The beginning of the 20th century was filled with events and became extremely fruitful in terms of creativity. The paintings demonstrated folk life, nature, social events in a rich, sincere manner.