Russian Painting: From the Xviiith to the Xxth Century (Schools & Movements) - Hardcover

Leek, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1859953557 ISBN 13: 9781859953556

Publisher: Parkstone Press, 1999

Synopsis

This handsome volume offers a panorama of Russian painting from the 18th to the 20th century unequalled anywhere else. Russian culture developed through contact with European influences, but retained strong indigenous characteristics. From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, Russian painting was entirely devoted to religious subjects. This book begins with a discussion of the earliest examples of Russian art, namely icons, which were closely tied to Byzantine culture. It was not until the late 17th century that sacred art was abandoned and subject matter broadened to include pictures of everyday life, revealing tension between idealism and realism. Secular art flourished especially through portraits. Although the Academy of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg was founded in 1757, it would be decades before Russian artists became interested in still life and history painting.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Leek is a British Art historian who has participated in the publication of a number of works recognised by his peers.

From Library Journal

Although touted as a major survey of Russian art, this is more of a coffee-table book than a research title. The 304 color illustrations are attractively reproduced and grouped into three main chapters: "From the 18th Century to the 1860s," "From the 1860s to the 1890s," and "From the 1890s to the Post-Revolutionary Period." Each chapter includes portraiture, historical painting, landscape, and still life among other painting types and trends. The brief chapter introductions and sparse text found amid the book's glorious images leave the reader wanting more information. Leek, who is never clearly identified, has simply tried to cover too much material. Because Leek attempts to include everyone from Karl Briullov (1799-1852) to Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944), each of these influential artists is described in just a few sentences. A tighter focus would have been to this book's advantage. Marginally recommended for larger public and academic library art collections in need of Russian art images.
-Jennifer Mayer, Univ. of Wyoming Libs., Laramie
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Parkstone Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1859953557
• ISBN 13: 9781859953556
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288