Russian Art History

Have you ever wondered about the art of Russia – its origins, its development and its influences? Dating back to ancient times, the visual art of this historically rich nation has intertwined with its culture, reflecting its complicated and ever-evolving identity and existence. From the sculptures of the earliest Slavic peoples, through the sumptuous paintings of the Tsars, to the radical works of modern Russian avant-garde artists, let’s explore the sweeping, centuries-spanning history of Russian art.

The earliest cultures who left their mark in Russia's forests and steppes were the Slavic Pagans, who settled in the area over 1500 years ago. Although they left no written records, they did bring with them the tradition of crafting art objects in amber, bronze, and stone. Such objects have been unearthed in various sites across Russia, including axes, rings, and other decorative pieces – some of which are believed to be sacted relics.
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The Middle Ages saw a surge in religious art, following the conversion of the Russian people from Paganism to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Paintings, wall hangings, and icons were created specifically for religious use, with the most prolific period being in the 16th Century. Icon painting used much gold, which was applied as a ground pigment to create a luminescent effect. Work was usually done on wooden panels, and were intricately detailed. It was during this period that church fresco painting, modeled after the religious painting of Constantinople, became popular. Despite its strength in Russia, the practice faded elsewhere, only to be rescued a few centuries later by the Pre-Raphaelites.

In the 18th and 19th Centuries, Russian art (or the 'Russian Style') became increasingly well-defined and respected. The over-the-top, romantic interiors and portraiture of the Tsars – with plenty of gold and lavish decorations – was intended to communicate their wealth and influence. Portraiture of the aristocracy was also en vogue, as well as realist works depicting the struggles of the peasantry.
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In the late 19th Century, Russian art underwent a radical shift. Embracing influences from French Impressionism and the Symbolism movement, Russian artists sought to express the spirit and soul of the nation, rather than its wealth and might. This led to a vibrant body of work ranging from the abstracted landscapes of Nicholas Roerich to the dreamscapes of Mikhail Vrubel.

The 20th Century saw a further radicalization of art in Russia, especially following the revolution in 1917, when works of expressionist, futurist, constructivist, and cubist artists started gaining recognition. These works – stripped of their 'bourgeois' associations and style – encouraged the emergence of radical, socially engaged art. Meanwhile, the quintessence of art in Russia between the 1920s and the 1950s was the avant-garde, perhaps the pinnacle of which was the work of Wassily Kandinsky – a pioneer of abstract art.

The end of the 20th Century in Russia saw the emergence of art that critiqued the government, although much of it is still socially engaged. Paintings from this period aim to shed light on the struggles and triumphs of the nation's people.

For centuries, Russian art has weaved together the country's past and present, creating an illuminating portrait of its history that still influences the present. Be it the oldest sacred objects of the Slavic peoples, the ornate icons of Medieval Russia, or, the masterpieces of the avant-garde, art in Russia has allowed the nation to express its unique identity in remarkable ways.