Revolution: Russian Art 1917-1932

The book is the catalog accompanying the exhibition 'REVOLUTION: Russian Art 1917 - 1932' hosted at the Royal Academy of Arts. It possesses the hallmark features of excellence that characterize the Royal Academy of Arts publications: exemplary organization, meticulous attention to detail, authoritative essays assessing the extraordinary diversity of artistic expression during a period of explosive creativity unleashed by the October Revolution of 1917 and magnificent illustrations on excellent quality paper.The book draws inspiration from the great exhibition of 1932 held at the State Russian Museum of Leningrad which brought together the most avant-garde art forms along with more traditional which flourished during the fifteen year period (1917-1932). The Leningrad exhibition was destined to be the swansong of progressive art with Stalin's suppression of the avant-garde in 1934. Thereafter the only form of art allowed was that of Socialist Realism.In the book we have the opportunity to view exquisite specimens of artistic expression in all its varied forms comprising painting, sculpture, graphic design, film, textiles, ceramics, architectural design and construction.Two essays in the book are justifiably devoted to two exemplary artists respectively Kazimir Malevich representing the avant-garde and Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin the figurative and traditional art.Kazimir Malevich is the exponent of Suprematist art, the creations of which seem to fly in cosmic space. In the book we are presented with exquisite specimens of Suprematist ceramics. We also view his architectural prototypes which were not designs for specific building and they were not functional architectural projects but like his paintings and ceramics they occupy another realm. Finally we are exposed to his late figurative paintings whose recurrent theme is isolation and anonymity, the facelesssness of many of these figures suggests a loss of identity and a robotic existence as if collective work might induce new states of mind. These faceless people in the paintings occupy a timeless place without name and undermine the spectators security with blank and silent faces. The effect is unnerving and moving.Kuzma Petrov-Votkin's art is a reflection of the spirit, of a metaphysical harmony and of the natural cycle of life. His paintings elicit an intimate mood and a mystical dimension. Both form and color were of equal importance to him. He analysed the techniques and compositions of Novgorod icons and identified their color trinity of blue, yellow and red and elliptical space with its 'cosmic, religious feeling'.One of his most compelling paintings is 'Our Lady of Tenderness for Angered Hearts' which combines divine beauty and infinite kindness, possibly the most beautiful rendition of the Madonna I have ever encountered.

A brilliant catalogue of the RA exhibition which I visited. An emotional journey through the destructive power of communism on art and society in the Stalin era.

Fantastic tome which reflects the great exhibition at the Royal Academy. Lots of words and photos - which was a surprise until I visited the exhibition, and now it makes perfect and dramatic sense. Excellent value as well, and the colours of the plates are as true as I can wish for

A stunning guide to a landmark exhibition and fourteen pounds cheaper than if I'd had to buy it at the Royal Academy. A very informative texts, with copious illustrations of a very high quality. If you can't make it to the exhibition then get this.

Excellent book from the show at the RA, packed full of brilliant work that is a must for any art lover.

Great book - beautifully laid out with wonderful examples of work produced during the turbulent times

As advertised

A great book well worth the price, anyone going to the exhibition must get this.

Super good book

Was a great show, is a great book.

la livraison a été plus rapide et le livre était bien emballé ce qui est très appréciable, malheureusement la société de livraison n'est pas la meilleure, le livreur était malpoli, insultant, je commande régulièrement des articles et c'est la première fois que j'ai eu à faire à cette société de livraison et heureusement la première fois que j'ai eu un livreur qui se permet d'être gratuitement insultant avec les clients.malgré la qualité de l'emballage et du produit la livraison gâche tout mon enthousiasme concernant cet achat.

One of the best books out there for Russian art

Sorry I haven't had a chance to read the text yet, but this looks like a great book for art historians &/or people interested in Russia. There are works reproduced in this catalogue from the show at the Royal Academy in London that I had not seen in some of the older published books on the art of this period in Russia. A lot of the reproductions are less than 1/2 the page in size, but they look sharp and clear.