The development of Russian art begins with the change from pagan religion to Christianity. With the change of faith began the creation of icons. Religious depictions are an art form of Russian painting that can be traced back to the 1st century. Icons are depictions of religious figures and scenes, often elaborated with a sumptuous color scheme in opulent blues and golden elements. The perspective is strikingly flattened. Icons are widespread in Orthodox Christianity. The representations mainly decorate places of worship, but are also very popular in private rooms as a sign of faith. One of the most famous painters of this genre is Andrei Rublev, who lived during the European Middle Ages. Icon painting was the defining art form of Russian painting until the 17th century. In the depictions, developmental steps are visible. Simon Ushakov used icon painting for scenes that did not have an exclusively biblical origin and his works show approaches of perspective and depth.
When Peter the Great became Tsar of Russia, the political attitude of the country changed. In an almost revolutionary manner, the Tsar opened himself to the Western currents that affected all social ones. Art, in particular, underwent a major change due to Western Europe. With the 18th century, neoclassicism became the predominant art form of Russian painting. The myths and legends of the Greek and Roman gods became one of the central themes in representation. Anton Losenko became one of the most famous painters of the short but intense epoch of Russian Classicism.
Russian artists wanted more than the academic and unrealistic depictions of legendary figures. As the 19th century progressed, a desire developed for realistic depictions that would be contextualized to political and cultural themes. This was an artistic movement that had developed in the French school of painting and found its way into painting in Russia via literature. Up to this epoch, the Russian school had developed in a very differentiated way from European painting. Traditions and cultural roots were always faithful companions of artistic possibilities. The familiar sacred traditions subsided more slowly as the Russian artists' striving for modernization increased. Parallel to Russian symbolism, the realistic form of representation solidified. Everyday life was felt worthy of being the central subject of a painting. The view from the window over the roofs of the city, life in the fields or the view into the classroom. Moments that seem photographic and with which the Russian artists reached the levels of their European models. With the transformation to the Russian avant-garde, the art scene finally became a source of inspiration for the European art world.
The development of Russian art begins with the change from pagan religion to Christianity. With the change of faith began the creation of icons. Religious depictions are an art form of Russian painting that can be traced back to the 1st century. Icons are depictions of religious figures and scenes, often elaborated with a sumptuous color scheme in opulent blues and golden elements. The perspective is strikingly flattened. Icons are widespread in Orthodox Christianity. The representations mainly decorate places of worship, but are also very popular in private rooms as a sign of faith. One of the most famous painters of this genre is Andrei Rublev, who lived during the European Middle Ages. Icon painting was the defining art form of Russian painting until the 17th century. In the depictions, developmental steps are visible. Simon Ushakov used icon painting for scenes that did not have an exclusively biblical origin and his works show approaches of perspective and depth.
When Peter the Great became Tsar of Russia, the political attitude of the country changed. In an almost revolutionary manner, the Tsar opened himself to the Western currents that affected all social ones. Art, in particular, underwent a major change due to Western Europe. With the 18th century, neoclassicism became the predominant art form of Russian painting. The myths and legends of the Greek and Roman gods became one of the central themes in representation. Anton Losenko became one of the most famous painters of the short but intense epoch of Russian Classicism.
Russian artists wanted more than the academic and unrealistic depictions of legendary figures. As the 19th century progressed, a desire developed for realistic depictions that would be contextualized to political and cultural themes. This was an artistic movement that had developed in the French school of painting and found its way into painting in Russia via literature. Up to this epoch, the Russian school had developed in a very differentiated way from European painting. Traditions and cultural roots were always faithful companions of artistic possibilities. The familiar sacred traditions subsided more slowly as the Russian artists' striving for modernization increased. Parallel to Russian symbolism, the realistic form of representation solidified. Everyday life was felt worthy of being the central subject of a painting. The view from the window over the roofs of the city, life in the fields or the view into the classroom. Moments that seem photographic and with which the Russian artists reached the levels of their European models. With the transformation to the Russian avant-garde, the art scene finally became a source of inspiration for the European art world.
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