Russian Ladies of the Avant-garde

Author: Linda DeLaine
Website: RL Online
Department:
Page: 1   ( 7) pages

Summary: Set against the backdrop of revolution and civil war the Avant-garde period in Russia was very dynamic. In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), we take a look at the lives and works of six very special Avant-garde artists.

Russia's avant-garde period was possibly the most dynamic of any in Russia's history. Most consider the greatest artists of this time to have been Suprematist artist Kasimir Malevich, Constructivism founder Vladimir Tatlin (well known for his Monument to the Comintern [1919]), abstract Impressionist Wassily Kandinsky and revolutionary artist and photographer Alexander Rodchenko.

During the early years of the 20th century, Russian artists, anxious to learn the latest in European styles, traveled to cultural centers such as Paris and Munich to study. They quickly picked up on the latest trends and styles in all art venues. By the onset of WWI, Russian artists had not only learned the European techniques and styles, but had used them to develop something truly new and unique. The vision of a new world presented by the Bolsheviks and the Revolution played well with these artists, creators of Russia's "new" art movement. This small collection of artists had two choices: emigrate or support the Communist regime. Those who chose to stay in Russia set forth their own artistic ideals as the vanguard of Communist culture--and in the process created a unique and lasting body of art and theory.

Lesser known members of the Russian avant-garde movement are six women whose contributions are equally important as their more famous male associates. This elite list includes Aleksandra Ekster, Natalya Goncharova, Lyubov Popova, Olga Rozanova, Varvara Stepanova and Nadezhda Udaltsova. Recently, their works were brought together by the Guggenheim Museum in an exhibit titled Amazons of the Avant-Garde. The exhibit is being shown at the Old Tretyakov Gallery (State Tretyakov Gallery) in Moscow, as well as in Berlin, Venice, Bibao, New York and London.

As we know, Amazons were the part fact, part mythical warrior women of ancient Russia as recorded in by Greek historian, Herodotus. So, what does this have to do with this exhibit and/or these six female artists? Nothing, really, except that they are considered by the exhibit's curator, Zelfira Tregulova, to have been powerful influences on avant-garde art and Soviet culture. Given the time during which they created (first 15 years or so of the 1900s), they were extremely independent, strong minded women who were also well-off and well educated.

Most of these six artists studied in art schools in France, Germany and Italy for further study and returned to Russia around 1912-13. At this time, they each began perfecting their own style and producing the revolutionary works we can see today. Most successful artists are mentored by another accomplished artist.

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Special Thank You to
Dr. Alexander Boguslawski
Professor of Russian Studies, Rollins College
20th Century Russian Painting
for the use of his art work images.

Amazons of the Avant-Garde
Alexandra Exter, John E. Bowlt (Editor)

Hardcover, 365pp.
Abrams,Harry N Inc
March 2000