From a unique set of circumstances that would be impossible to duplicate, Soviet Art from 1930 to 1980 was the 20th century's major realist school of painting. It powerfully expresses itself with a simple clarity of pictorial language, consumate adeptness and truthful portrayal of life. The Soviet artist acted as a willing collaborator with and portrayer of the aspirations of society. This contrasted with Western models where artists were typically alienated from their community. Acceptance will come, using the Sovciet phrase, because it is "historially inevitable". It is already to a certain extent here with the pictures from the period incresingly passing through the sale rooms of Europe and North America. This book should give wider understanding of this underrated but artistically exciting movement in Soviet art.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
*THE* book on Soviet Impressionism,
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This review is from: Soviet Impressionism (Hardcover)
Artists are often asked "Who are your influences?" Though Sargent, Sorrolla and Gerhardts are my favorites, I'd have to say that the Soviet Impressionists as a group have had more influence on my work than anyone else.Ever since I walked into the Soviet gallery at the Sprigville Museum, I've been looking for a book that lives up to that experience. Not suprisingly, the author of this book is the director of that museum. In fact he's probably the leading authority in the country, if not more. The book is nicely made and well laid-out, with the discussion and explaination of Soviet Impressionism following in a logical order which I find very helpful. This book is mostly color plates of a size you can see (unlike the postage stamp sized black and white ones so many books have.) The color plates are as good as any I've seen (and I'm fairly picky about that) and are true to the original pictures. And the size of the book is just right. It's large enough to be comprehensive without being over-heavy and uncomfortable. If you're into Soviet Impressionism, this is the book to have. I would have gladly paid more.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Case of Mistaken Identity,
This review is from: Soviet Impressionism (Hardcover)
It is hard to disagree that this book is well published and probably, along with Bown's Socialist Realist Painting, is the best book on the official Art in the Soviet Union. The quality of reproductions is superb. However, Swanson chooses to see the Socialis Realist Art as Impressionism, and under this newly changed name tag he begins the revisionist compaign ( as did Mr.Bown). What could possibly lead to such a switch in style's identities? It seems that this erroneous view is based on the fact that many of the sketches, landscape studies, and other works ,done from nature, by the Soviet artist do bear some stylistic affinity to the loose and airy impressionist technique. However, such affinity is due to the educational methods of the Soviet academies, where students worked with live models, worked outdoors, etc. Such practices , together with the influence of French and Russian Impressionists of the Nineteenth century, would definitely lead the artists to a more impressionistic portrayal of nature. But, as majority of the works reproduced in the book show, contrary to Mr. Swanson's thesis, Soviet Impressionism has NEVER existed in the form other than small percentage of the Soviet artists artistic output, and as such, it was motivated to be "impressionistic" more by the fact that people would rather buy something "pretty", like a landscape or a still life. Official commisions of oversized Communist compositions were only occasional for many artists, and "Impressionism" provided them with the Marketable Style on the side. This would classify the Soviet Impressionism more as the Soviet Opportunist Realism inside the Larger Socialist Realist Tradition. Soviet Impressionism/ Socialist Realism has never been interested in the portrayal of real world around, it was staging the reality, beautifying it and distorting it. As such it is not worthy of being "Impressionism", if one calls the art of Degas, Cezanne, and Manet the same name. In short the book is the sad example of great pictorial beauty and false revisionist doctrines.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New reprint due in November of 2007!!!,
This review is from: Soviet Impressionism (Hardcover)
This is a great book. Look at the prices these used book dealers are trying to get!!. The great news is that this book is being reprinted in November of 2007 with 140 new color plates added. All that for the Amazon price of $80!!!!! The new book is called Soviet Impressionist Painting. Buy it now and let the book sharks eat dry paste. Way to go Antique Collectors Club (the publisher).
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