The Wake

Prior to the Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian arts flourished in period known as the Silver Age. In years following this rebellion, the previous freedoms art experienced were lost in the suppressive regime that Lenin began. The Silver Age lasted from the late 1800s until 1917, and provides a glimpse into the Russian soul, a soul which is harder to find after the Revolution.

Russia’s Age of Elegance collection can be viewed free of charge on campus at the Weisman Art Museum through Dec. 31. The collection includes a variety of artists from the Silver Age, which are informally grouped together and called World of Art (Mir Iskusstva). The collection includes many portraits of the artists as well as political figures, such as Czar Alexander III. Their facial expressions, color and medium choice provide a glimpse into the significant celebrities represented in Russian society at the time. This personal glimpse is a rare circumstance in recent Russian history, due to the Stalinist regime, and should be appreciated for simply existing.

While there are many landscapes of snow, onion-domed buildings, and sleighs (as is expected from Russia’s climate), the pearls of the collection, in my opinion, have bold color, providing a contrast to the dull shades next to them. The first image to greet the viewer is “Portrait of Vsyevolod Meyerhold.” Half of the painting has dark coloration and the other half has vibrant reds. And while the actions of the characters painted are befuddling, it allows one to draw their own interpretation. One woman remarked, “He is being robbed, and [the mask] is going towards the future.” Frankly, the gentleman in black looks as though he is being attacked, but his mask may be headed for the future.

“They Are Coming,” painted by Andrei Ryabushkin, is glance at Imperial Russia in the late 17th century. In this painting, the Muscovites gaze apprehensively into the distance and wear colorful traditional clothes, as they await the “entry of a Foreign Consult.” Though the painting has historical influence, the implications of awaiting new control and the concerned look in the eyes of the average Russian is relevant to Russia’s history, and certainly to the time of the Revolution. Indeed anyone could gaze at these faces and find the doubtful nature relatable.

Equally striking is “Violinist” by Alexander Yakovlev. The painting portrays an elderly man who, according to the accompanying description, suffers from paralysis. The ironic aspect is, however, that while his body clearly is decaying, his face and hands are painted so lively they glisten and give a 3-D effect. His hunched and crooked looking spine causes one to cringe initially, but upon a closer look his face is joyful and he is smiling. The combination of suffering with joy is a topic representative of Russian history across the ages.

This theme lives throughout the collection, showcasing the Russian mindset and experience, while proving we are not always that different from communists. After all, we all experience both joy and suffering.