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Issues of 2008

Soviet art: investments in the day after tomorrow

In 1994 the exhibition entitled ╚Propaganda for Happiness╩ was held in the State Russian Museum, Benois Wing. The exhibition presented works of painters belonging to the official trend of the Soviet art (Deyneka, Samokhvalov, Ioganson, Plastov) and of avant-garde painters working in the 1930-s (Malevitch, Filonov, Tishler). The exhibition had a great success.

Such a combination of two contrary trends and a little ironical title of the exhibition were to underline the totalistic character of the Soviet official art if not discredit it at all ≈ this was the organizers▓ plan.

A. Plastov. Village Garden. Oil on canvas. 49.5 х 40.6 cm. Estimate GBP8,000√12,000. Important Russian Pictures. Christie▓s, London. November 2007 [zoom (118k)]

The exposition was popular during all the time of its working (several months!). But it seems that such a splash of interest to the Soviet art was an unpleasant surprise for the organizers. If one looks through critical articles on the exhibition, we could see that the majority of critics perceived the exhibition almost as a claim of all the Soviet system. Works of the Soviet painters were aligned with the works of the Nazi Germany painters.

These were opinions of professional connoisseurs. But why did the exhibition attract attention of tens and hundreds thousands of visitors? Do former Soviet people remain faithful to totalitarianism? Or the public wanted to see outstanding world masterpieces also shown at the exhibition? The analysis of art market may help us answer the question ≈ after all the true value of art trend is defined by demand.

SOCIALISTIC REALISM MARKET: CHANCES AND RULES

In the beginning of 2000-ies the Soviet art became popular again as sales of social realism works at rather high prices show. For example, in 2003 the famous gallery owner Leonid Shishkin sold an author copy of the famous painting of Alexander Gerasimov ╚Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin wall╩ (more known under the unofficial name ╚Two Leaders after the Rain╩). Shishkin bought the painting at the price of $30 000 and sold for $135 000. The next noted sale took place in 2004. Deyneka▓s painting ╚Ode to Spring╩ was auctioned at Christie▓s for ё106.400 exceeding the estimate 30%.

However these two examples can not determine the tendency. Social realism art works are rare displayed at auctions and sold at low prices. For example, in December 2004 the canvas ╚In Fields╩ by the brothers did not exceed its estimate of ё15 000√20 000 and was auctioned in London for ё18.000. In May 2005 ╚Electriricans╩ by Victor Popkov was auctioned at Sotheby▓s for ё14.400 being estimated ё7000√9000. This is an author copy of the work that is kept in one of St. Petersburg museums. At the same auction the canvas ╚Girl Doing Lessons╩ by F. Reshetnikov was sold for ё7200 being estimated at ё6000√8000.

The Soviet painting was hardly displayed at the actions held in the last two years. Only this November Christie▓s auction house sales ╚Important Russian Pictures╩ has offered the sketch ╚Village Garden╩ by Plastov estimated at ё8000√12000. Dmitri Tegin▓s landscape ╚Volga╩ has been auctioned at Stockholms Аuctionsverk this October for ё1600 while estimated at ё1600√1800. The sum the painting was sold for does not reflect the true value of the painting. Dmitry Tegin (died in 1988) was an Honoured painter of RSFSR and according to Leonid Shishkin gallery version is within a hundred best masters of the Soviet era. His works are displayed in many Russian museums, in particularly in Tretyakov gallery. But it is the magic of the name that often plays pivotal role at auctions. For example, David Nalbandyan▓s sketch ╚Yacht╩ was sold for ё21 000 (estimate ё13000√18000) at the same Stockholms Аuctionsverk. But the sketch is only a sketch while Tegin▓s landscape is a full painting. As for artistic features they are obvious and do not to Nalbandyan▓s works. Sometimes high price is conditioned on a work▓s theme. For example, a portrait of the Marshal Zhukov ahorse by little known artists Vsevolod Brodsky and Boris Pinkhasovich was sold for $100 800. One could see that it is impossible to draw some exact conclusions or make prognosis. However we cannot say much for existing market of social realism. Talking about foreign art dealers who deal with the Soviet art one can name only the gallery Douwes Fine Art that has its departments in Amsterdam and London. The most famous galleries specialized on the Soviet art in Russia is the one of Leonid Shishkin and the gallery ╚Sovkom╩. But one could hardly find a large qualitative work there.

MORE THAN ONLY IDEOLOGICAL ARTIFACT?

S. Tkatchev, A. Tkatchev. In the Field. 1960s. Oil on canvas. 74.0 х 84.0 cm. Estimate GBP15,000√20,000. Sold for GBP18,000. Sotheby▓s, London. December 2004 [zoom (78k)]

Such a trading range and rare sales mislead not only buyers but experts. Some experts think that works of the most prominent masters such as Deyneka, Plastov or Pimenov will carry a price; others say that price ascents are occasional and politics is the one that influence them. And ╚Forbs╩ magazine drew an unexpected conclusion that splashes of popularity of the Soviet art are caused by three factors. First, social realistic works are acceptable to the eye in private offices of high╛ranking officials and that▓s why single sales are possible, in the second place, people buy the Soviet art feeling nostalgia on their childhood ≈ they just like having paintings that they once saw in their school manuals at home (╚Another F?╩ by F. Reshetnikov or ╚Interrogation of a Communist╩ by B. Ioganson). In the third place the popularity of the Soviet art is caused by works of the painters Komar and Melamid that were sarcastic mockery on all things made in the USSR and thought out a term ╚soviet pop art╩.

Does it turn out that the Soviet art can be of interest only as a historical prove of totalitarianism of the ruling ideology? And critics who speak against it are right? And the public that queued to enter the exhibition ╚Propaganda for Happiness╩ came to make sure of it next time?

We dare to think that it is not so simple. And we think that it is incorrect to compare works of Soviet painters with works of Nazi Germany painters that popularized fascist ideology. представляется нам совсем некорректным. Themes of the Soviet painting could be analogous with the ones of the German painters but works of the Soviet paintings are filled with light, air and liberty in contrast to works of Leni Riefenstahl filled with gloomy pathos.

SOCIALIST REALISM OF NEOIMPRESSIONISM?

Now we could say in all certainty that the exhibition of 1994 was the most successful art project in contemporary history of Russia. The secret of its success was the following ≈ the true scale, diversity and the highest art quality of the Soviet art so called socialist realism was shown for the first time in many decades.

However, the term ╚social realism╩ is only partially true. At bottom of fact socialist realism was not traditional one as critic realism of the XIX century that tried to reflect all the details thoroughly, for example. Socialist realism was mythicizing new people. Referring to literature analogues, the closest images to social realism could be found in works of writers treating the fantastic ≈ Alexander Belyaev, Ivan Efremov, the early Strugatskie (╚Midday People╩). The characters of their literary works are purposeful, cheerful, whole-hearted and passionate natures that are going to live in the bright future. The same characters were heroes of works of painters belonging to social realism. On the one hand, they were rather far from reality and on the other hand inspired with optimism and showed an ideal of a new man.

As for doubly ideological orientation of social realism it is would be interesting to recall a case that Leonid Shishkin told about in an interview. When in the end of 1980s the gallery owner was exporting works of native painters selected randomly abroad he noticed that the works that Western galleries and art collectors bought most willingly were the ones that reflected the joy of life and pathos of pacific labour like the canvas ╚Kolkhoz Holiday╩ by Arcadii Plastov. Leonid asked one of his partners why it was so and was almost astonished by the answer. It turned out that Western people did not reflect these paintings in the light of a certain ideology and thought it to be neoimpressionism.

This private opinion could become universally recognized in the nearest future. The fact is that the founders of the Soviet art school ≈ Igor Grabar, Konstantion Yuon, Isaac Brodsky ≈ were adherents of the very same impressionistic trend. They inculcated the light and joyful impressionism palette to Russian academic art school. It successfully coincided with official ideology of that time and the Soviet art began developing and flourishing. But if in 1930s one could say that the feeling of historical optimism was spread ╚from above╩, in 1950-60-s official zest for life reflected the real mood of the Soviet society. One could recall at least total inspiration excited by the USSR achievements in cosmos development. Soviet people felt enthusiasm and optimism and were proud of the country they lived in despite severe life conditions. Thus the Soviet art became the true incarnation of peoples spirit.

╚ALL FLOWERS SHOULD BLOSSOM╩

S. Tkatchev, A. Tkatchev. Windy Day. 1957. Oil on canvas. Private collection [zoom (102k)]

If one look at the Soviet art in an unprejudiced manner, he (or she) could say the only thing: the Soviet art is a big, time localized phenomenon of the world culture. Socialist realism painting is not less original than other art trends. The Soviet art carried distillation of social and philosophical ideas that were considered the leading ones not only in the URSS but in the whole world. At that the works were distinguished by high art quality as Soviet academic school was the best one in the world. Each time period was reflected in a special way and we can talk about optimism and zest for life of 1930-50s, severe style of 1960s, lyrics and going away to inner world of 1970s and the beginning of 1980s.

Not only the high mastery level but the quantity of painters amaze as the Soviet painting counts thousands of names. To understand the reasons of such mass character we should know the history of Soviet art school.

Soviet art school was created by the best masters of pre-revolutionary times ≈ above╛mentioned Grabar, Yuon, Brodsky, Pavel Korin, Rilov. These artists are direct successors of Russian academic school. Other famous painters of the Soviet era such as Deyneka, Osmyorkin, Pimenov, Samokhvalov, Nisskii began their creative work as members of avant-garde groups that appeared in the first years after revolution. Former avant-gardists stirred up the old classical school and this way the Soviet art with its freshness, optimism and harmony of light and air was born.

The organization of Artists▓ Union promoted the system of art education as to become a member of Artists▓ Union, have a right for own workshop and orders, a painter had to prove its professionalism and to do it he (or she) had to study a lot. Four years in children art school and four years in specialized school ≈ it was the beginning. The best graduates entered art institutes that were parts of Arts Academy of the USSR. Children art schools could be found in almost all the cities and towns, specialized schools ≈ Moscow, Leningrad and all the capitals of union republics. Besides, each theatre institute of high education had art departments. Thus the education lasted for 14 years or even more if a graduate entered a creative workshop of an outstanding master of the Soviet art. To become a member of Artists▓ Union one should have taken part in several All-Union exhibitions. We could see that the selection was severe and there were no casual people in Artists▓ Union.

Referring to ideological dictate we can say that we are prisoners of myths. Soviet art historians know well that the authorities held the opinion that ╚all flowers should blossom╩ ≈ but in contrast to Chinese variant there were no repressions at all. Many people can not forget the famous ╚bulldozer exhibition╩ ≈ an unofficial art exhibition on a vacant lot in Belyayevo urban forest by Moscow avant-garde artists in 1974 that was forcefully broken-up by a large police force that included bulldozers and water cannons. But it▓s a single example and it is caused not by politics but by private tasted of Nikita Khrushyov. By the way, in the very 1960s an exhibition of Alexander Tishler, a painter who personified unofficial art, took place in State Museum of Fine Arts named by Pushkin in Moscow.

The reality was the following ≈ the painters who did not want to make an official carrier also could create and even exhibit. They organized informal creative teamworks and organized exhibitions in Palaces and Houses of Culture of Moscow, Leningrad and other cities haloed as heroes of original creative underground. National art schools organized after the revolution were encouraged and developed to the utmost. Any creative form in these schools was not prohibited but welcomed in every way. Painters from the Baltic countries, Transcaucasia, Middle Asia were welcome guests at all the All-Union exhibitions.

PAX SOVETICA

In a whole the Soviet State manage to do the thing that the Russian Empire failed to do. Pax soveticа in the sphere of culture was made. The students of art institutes of high education were not only those who were born in the USSR but representatives of the countries of socialist camp. And today art of these countries bear exact traces of the Soviet school. For example, the modern China painting is presented by reminiscences on American pop-art a la Warhol and Raushenberg along with works of Chinese painters carried out in socialist realism manner at Sotheby▓s Hong Kong and New York salesrooms. A person who is more or less interested in art will understand that these Chinese masters studied in the USSR. For example, the canvas ╚Father and Son╩ by Chen Yifei was auctioned at Sotheby▓s Contemporary Art Asia, New York in March 2007 for $540 000. Just a quick glance at the painting and its size (198.0 х 198.0) let you understand that it was inspired by creative work of the Soviet painter Gely Korzhev. His paintings are also realized in hyperrealistic manner; even stroke modeling face wrinkles is similar. And this is not a single example.

But maybe the main achievement of the Soviet art school is the fact that it managed to keep academic educational system. Nowadays Russia is the only country that has such a system. World academic painting completely disappeared, painters of the XX century who worked in representational style are not many; for example, we could only recall Salvador Dali and Alfred James Munnings (one of the best English painter of horses and hunting) whose works are sold at a fabulous price.

INVESTMENTS IN SOCIALIST REALISM ARE INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE

The Soviet art is a many-sided phenomenon that has not been estimated at its true worth yet. The market is not developed and is waiting for buyers. Nowadays works of famous artists or artists promoted by galleries are sold. For example, Nikolai Timkov▓s works were brought to the USA in the end of 1980s and are promoted now. His canvas ╚View of the town of Torzhok╩ was auctioned at New York Sotheby▓s salesrooms for $25 000 being estimated at $20 000√25000. One can also name Konstantin Lomikin whose works often appear in Douwes Fine Art gallery. Besides the above-mentioned artists one could recall Moiseenko, Milnikov, Oreshnikov, Ugarov, Tsherbakov, Zardaryan and many others that are forgotten nowadays. The next important point is that there are almost no counterfeits at this market. Many painters have been creating until now, for example, the professor of St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, and people▓s artist of the USSR Andrei Andreevich Milnikov. Other painters died but they left heirs who can confirm the authenticity of the works. Purchasing a work of a Soviet painter you can be sure that you buy an original.

It is a vein of gold for a true collector. Paintings are going to cost more in the course of time. But one should not expect instant effect. In a year and in five year the price is going to be almost the same. Buying the Soviet art you invest in the day after tomorrow. The USSR did die but it has quite happened recently by history standards. We are not able to appreciate the entire heritage left after the seventy years of existence of the mighty country at its true value. And these seventy years can not be stroke out of the history of Russian and world culture even if those who laugh at the Soviet art want it. Especially as soc-art that is promoted the last decade it just a branch of the Soviet art. It is not interesting and possible without it. The same refers to non-conformists who created to oppose themselves to the official art. Time will put everything into perspective and art quality but for the politics will play the leading role. Even now investments to non-conformism are not justified despite intense advertising campaign (with the assumption that a lot of works of non-conformist painters are put up for sale in contrast to works of socialist realism painters. It is hard to imagine that in half a century installations in the form of splinters of a colour glass on a paper roll or plastic cow back with a TV-set inside it will be more called for than a beautiful painting. Painting is the most ancient art. It did not die when photography and cinema came. It will also survive so called actual art.