Russian Impressionism: Paintings, 1870-1970

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Impressionism flourished in Russia from its inception and for decades after, but who knew? As art historian and State Russian Museum curator Kruglov writes, Russian impressionist painting is "an unknown and underrated phenomena." This groundbreaking volume, which contains 340 glowing illustrations of work by 140 artists (all concisely profiled), puts an end to this neglect and presents the legions of art lovers who possess a seemingly insatiable appetite for impressionistic works with a whole new universe to explore. Both Kruglov and his colleague, Lenyashin, offer enlightening historical overviews that compare and contrast these diverse Russian painters with each other and with their European and American counterparts, and chronicle their struggles for recognition. The paintings themselves are fascinating. Russian painters tended to wield a heavier hand and use a darker palette than other impressionists, and, although their subject matter is similar, the ambiance and details are distinctly Russian, thus revealing a world long hidden from outsiders. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
Perhaps the most beloved art movement of all time, Impressionism had its roots in France but soon inspired artists around the world. This new book documents that explosion in Russia, unveiling canvases that resonate with the pure color, sparkling light, and lively depictions of everyday life that characterize Impressionism at its best. Chosen from the holdings of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the works displayed in this handsome volume focus on a chapter in Russia's rich cultural history that has been too long overlooked. Now, the broad range of Russian Impressionism is made abundantly clear in 340 lush colorplates and in illuminating essays. The superb paintings, most rarely or never published before, make this collection an essential addition to any art lover's library. VLADIMIR KRUGLOV, an art historian and leading curator at the State Russian Museum, has published extensively on the history of Russian art. VLADIMIR LENYASHIN is currently head of the late 19th- and early 20th-century painting department at the State Russian Museum and is a professor at the Ilya Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture in St. Petersburg. 340 illustrations in full color, 81/2 x 14"


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Russia's struggles have made for much greatly admired world literature, but the country's visual arts are more problematic. This introductory book showcases a wide array of 19th- and early 20th-century artists virtually unknown outside of Russia. It takes the essentially bold step of defining Russian Impressionism as a genre for readers of English, opening up a world of uniquely Russian scenes depicted in a rich, vibrant palette. In two brief essays, the authors (both with the State Russian Museum) discuss the historical, aesthetic, and political climate that shaped this art, distinguishing it from French Impressionism, which these painters transferred to their own culture and made expressively Russian. They also discuss specific artworks in relation to one another. Following is the main body of the book, an extensive, full-color illustrated gallery of paintings from the state museum in St. Petersburg with a scattering of early black-and-white photographs that, however interesting, seem out of place. Rather lengthy and yet needing additional detail, the catalog of artists' biographies is nevertheless a good reference source. English speakers may have trouble with unfamiliar Russian names, but the paintings will provide enough attraction. This original work is a good purchase for most art book collections, especially in public, art school, and museum libraries.--Ellen Bates, New York Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.


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