ART OF PAINTING
ART OF PAINTING, a kind of fine art whose works are created with colors on any kind of surface.
In Bashkortostan, the emergence of .o.P. started at the beginning of the 20th century and associated with the creative works of Yu.Yu.Blumenthal, K.S.Devletkildeyev, M.N.Elgashtina, A.P.Lezhnev, A.E.Tyulkin, who had a significant influence on the process of formation and development of national fine art. The interest of Bashkir artists in the decorative and plastique aspect of A.o.P. awakened the creative genius of D.D.Burlyuk, who stayed in Bashkortostan between 1915–18. Developing within the framework of ideological assignments, A.o.P. of the leading masters of the republic in the 1920–30s still retained the spiritual richness of images. As examples, Tyulkin found a kind of poetry in the images of oil towers, first tractors and the outskirts of Ufa margins (Bloom in the Windows); Lezhnev created a series of paintings about Salavat Yulayev (Capture of Salavat); a series of typological portraits of Bashkirs and compositions with scenes of national life were created by Blumenthal, Devletkildeyev, V.S.Syromyatnikov. I.I.Uryadov created starkly realistic industrial landscapes (Construction Tool Shop).
With the opening in 1926 of an Art Department at the Bashkir Technical Institute (ref. Art School), full scale preparation of professional artists in the republic began. Its graduates (G.A.Amirov, V.P.Andreyev, K.I.Gerasimov, R.G.Gumerov, G.Sh.Imasheva, R.U.Ishbulatov, G.S.Mustafin, N.А. Russkikh, A.V.Khramov and others) made a significant contribution to the development of the Bashkir A.o.P.
In the painting works from the period of Great Patriotic War, one can discern the artists’ ability to accurately and truthfully describe the events of that heroic era. The 2nd half of the 1940s – beginning 1950s become the time of active self seeking for the painters of the republic. Especially notable was the creative talent of T.P.Nechayeva, who worked in different genres during that time. A series of works depicting the Bashkir oil industry was created by Andreyev (Ishimbayneft). The image of Salavat Yulayev was reflected in the historic canvases of P.M.Lebedev and Mustafin, who also created a series of portraits of various important figures of the Bashkir culture.
In the middle of the 1950s a new group of painters appeared (A.D.Burzyantsev, B.F.Domashnikov, A.A.Kuznetsov, A.F.Lutfullin, R.M.Nurmukhametov, A.V.Panteleyev, P.S.Salmasov and others), who further defined and solidified the unique concept of the Bashkir School of Painting, which is characterized by poetic depiction of the world, certain spiritual fullness and higher, more decorative use of color.
Early 1960s were the starting point in the formation of new, monumental forms of Bashkir A.o.P. (A.A.Kuznetsov’ large canvas titled The Interrogation of Salavat Yulayev; The 1905 Ural Strike by A.T.Platonov, The Volunteers by R.Yu.Khalitov, Bashkir Horsemen by V.А.Pozdnov, etc).
Between the 1960–70s there is an appearance of a genre painting, which included a wide range of themes and attracted many other masters (F.A.Kashcheyev, Lutfullin, Nurmukhametov, L.F.Mugtobarov, Yu.Ya.Nasyrov, V.A.Rudenchenko, V.A.Smagin). The development of the portrait genre is associated with the names of A.I.Platonov, A.S.Arslanov, A.A.Kuznetsov, Nurmukhametov, Lutfullin, and E.A.Zakharova. A certain bright page of Bashkir A.o.P. during the years becomes the creation of landscapes by such artists as Domashnikov, Burzyantsev, Pozdnov, Salmasov, Pustarnakov. The works of S.A.Litvinov, A.I.Platonov, V.E.Meos are devoted to the nature of the Urals. A number of artists were also drawn to still life genre, whose highlight are the creative works of A.Kh.Sitdikova, which poetically depicted the ethnic theme of life of the Bashkir people.
In the 2nd half of 1970s, a new generation of artists appeared in the A.o.P.: R.M.Abdullin, I.G.Bikbulatov, E.A. Vinokurov, S.K. Dergun, D.N.Ishemgulov, A.Sh. Kashayev, E.O.Kleymenov, S.B.Krasnov, M.D.Kuznetsov, S.A.Lebedev, U.G.Mukhametshin, N.L.Peganov, I.I.Fartukov, R.S.Khabirov, R.Z.Kharisov, V.G. Shaykhetdinov, Z.G.Shaikhlislamov and others.
The 2nd half of the 1980–90s is the period of active creative self search by artists of different generations. Such painters as A.A.Buganin, S.N.Ignatenko, B.A.Samosyuk, Fartukov, who were influenced by the avant garde movement, find forms of
A.o.P. reflecting the authors’ aesthetics and world perceptions. Deep symbolism is acquired in the realism of the works of Krasnov and M.G.Spiridonov. A consistent line of realistism is developed in the landscape art by Vinokurov, A.A.Dvornik, and V.I.Suzdaltsev. Freedom of creative thinking and choice of form becomes the slogan of artists, who united into artistic groups and associations. Among them, M.A.Nazarov, an ideologue of the neoprimitive trend; I.K.Gazizullin, Lebedev, N.A.Pakhomov found their creative individuality within the framework of the concept of primitivism and cubism. The artistic works of N.S.Latfullin form a new concept which consists of the synthesis of ethnic traditions and modern culture and is depicted in creations of complex colorand stylistic diversity (The City of the Full Moon), and in the works of the representatives of the Genghis Khan Art Association, which he had founded: N.G.Bayburin, Kharisov, R.Kh.Akhmetvaliyev, V.M.Khannanov, and others.
Using the language of symbols and metaphors in order to reveal the historic roots and spiritual foundations of the people, such artists as A.M.Mazitov (The Prophet), D.A.Suleymanov (Opposition) carried out their bold creative activities. Paintings by these authors are consonant with the content of the pictures by R. Yu.Ataullin (Ayat), F.A.Ismagilov (Tora tau), Kh.S.Fazylov [The Bashkir Legend (Seven Young Ladies)], which were created in the traditionally realistic manner.
The same style continues in the works of Nasyrov (Feast of the Goose, a triptych), Abdullin (Morning), R.S.Zaynetdinov (Constellation). The rich world of ethnic traditional life of the people appears on the romantic canvases by R.R.Kadyrov (Totem of the Moon). The themes and decorative methods of Zh.Ishemgulov (Evening in Abishevo), R.Sh.Zagidullina (Eternity), F.R.Yergaliyev (Return to the Past) have a deep spiritual connection with the Bashkir and Tatar folklore, and are based on the elements of broadside as well as ethnic embroidery and ornaments.
