Exhibition Impressionism in the Avant-Garde

Between impressionism and the avant-garde there has always been a strong relationship, although at first glance, these are diametrically opposed directions in art. The avant-garde brought world fame to our painters, and to demonstrate the huge role of impressionism in its formation, the Museum of Russian Impressionism will present an exposition "Impressionism in the Avant-Garde" from May 31, 2018.

There are more than fifty paintings on both floors of the museum. The paintings of M. Larionov, A. Exter, P. Konchalovsky, N. Goncharova, K. Malevich and others have been carefully selected from more than 30 personal collections and museums. Now a wide audience will know interesting facts about the works of famous representatives of the Russian avant-garde.

On both floors there are more than fifty canvases, photo © ria.ru

The emergence of Russian avant-gardism was not possible without the influence of impressionism. French influence in the Russian avant-garde was overwhelming and all-encompassing. Creations of French artists at the dawn of the 20th century pushed K. Malevich, M. Larionov, P. Konchalovsky and other Russian future avant-garde artists to incredible discoveries, which subsequently made a revolution in art.

Nadezhda Udaltsova «Spring in the Village», photo © vlv-mag.com

So, there are many interesting moments in the art of Kazimir Malevich, but one of the most striking is connected with his early works. In the late 1920s, the artist was preparing his own retrospective exhibition and suddenly discovered that some of his early impressionistic works are still at the exhibition in Berlin.

Kazimir Malevich "Self-portrait", photo © rusimp.su

The painter could not imagine the development of art without the influence of impressionism and therefore decided to write again the lost canvases, despite the fact that they are almost 30 years old. The artist signed them with early dates and this cunning, prompting a lot of questions later, was revealed after tens of years.

Mikhail Larionov - another master avant-gardist, being a rebel and violator of discipline, was expelled from the art school, as some of his creations were considered "indecent". The painter left the capital and went to Transnistria, where he passed the path of creative development through impressionism. He created a special direction in the Russian avant-garde, which was called rayonism.

Mikhail Larionov "Tiraspol night" (left) and "Still Life with Roses" (right), photo © vlv-mag.com

In his student days, Larionov's fate was reduced to his future wife, assistant and companion Natalia Goncharova. This meeting turned out not only the personal life of the artist, but also opened her an incredible world of impressionism. These relations did not last long, but became a springboard for further creativity. Soon Goncharova turned to peasant art, which opened up her extraordinary genius.

Natalia Goncharova "The Lilac", photo © vlv-mag.com

Alexandra Exterbegan her work from the impressionist experiences, today she is called the Amazon of the Russian avant-garde. After acquaintance with Picasso  in France, the artist turned to Cubism and even destroyed some of her early paintings, which left the rest of it incredibly valuable. Returning to Kiev, Exter in her workshop gathered artists looking for fresh ideas and styles. Thanks to her cubism penetrated into other areas of Russian art - theater and cinema.

Alexandra Exter "Still Life with Plums", photo © rusimp.su

Some masters of the last century were lucky to learn about impressionism from the private collection of Sergei Shchukin. It housed the works of Gauguin, Monet, Degas and other French impressionists who experimented with shapes and colors, creating their own style, far from the principles of classical painting. The future Russian avant-garde artists, due to familiarity with the new style, learned to work faster, without sketches. They have mastered the creation of plastics with only one color, turned to pure forms.

For the first time the exhibition will present the work of M. Larionov "Stroll" to the general public. Seen in 1907, it became the brightest example of Impressionist creativity of the painter. Once carefully stored in his personal collection, to this day it was saved by his friend's family.

Mikhail Larionov "Stroll", photo © vlv-mag.com

Exhibited canvases of Russian avant-garde artists will pleasantly surprise connoisseurs of painting. The art of "Russian futurism father" David Burliuk in the style of impressionism will struck by deep lyrics and elegance. And in the sensual still-life "Lilac" it's almost impossible to recognize Goncharova's hand.

Elena Vinogradova, Russia, Moscow

INFORMATION

Within the framework of the exhibition, on June 7 and 8, the Museum will host the First International Conference "Impressionism in the Avant-Garde".

During the event, art historians from all over the world will talk about the emergence of Russian avant-garde and the French impressionism and postmodernism impact on this process. Anyone can attend the meeting with pre-registration.

The exhibition will be open since May 31 until September 19, 2018 in the Museum of Russian Impressionism

Address: 15, bld 11, Leningradsky prospekt, Moscow, Russia

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