History of the Russian style

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Russian" style? Probably - kokoshniks, painting in the Gzhel or Khokhloma style, carved frames on the windows. But how and when did the style appear, are there meanings in these patterns?

Peter I destroyed (well, almost) the Russian style

Peter I, having studied in Europe and establishing diplomatic-friendly channels, decided to get rid of everything “primordially” Russian at home - he almost declared war on the archaic Middle Ages and zealously renewed and Europeanized Russia. The tsar invited Italian architects to build palaces instead of wooden towers, boyars forced them to put on European dresses instead of traditional caftans, shave long beards and wear powdered wigs.

Paul Delaroche. Portrait of Peter I - Hamburg Kunsthalle

Over the next two centuries, his successors developed the idea of “progressive Russia”. Even traditional church architecture was supplanted by the European Baroque in the 17th and 18th centuries.

But if Peter could keep the capital's nobility and official architecture under control, the peasantry and folk crafts continued to live their lives. The authorities did not interfere with the painting styles of spinning wheels, did not regulate the patterns and motives of folk workshops scattered throughout the country. Although the tsar-reformer also brought something to the “Russian style”: from his beloved Holland, he brought Delft porcelain, the blue and white colors of which were later copied by the Gzhel masters.

Return to the roots

Perhaps the "Russian style" would not have come down to us if by the second half of the 19th century the nobility had not turned to their "roots", had not begun to search for a national idea and identity. Elements of a primitive folk style began to come into vogue, and high society became interested in the life of ordinary people. Not the least role was played by the Itinerant artists, depicting the harsh peasant life.

In addition, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the art association "World of Art" emerged, which was engaged in the search and embodiment of primordially Russian motives in works of visual art. Plots of Russian fairy tales also began to appear frequently in painting - the most striking example of the work of Viktor Vasnetsov.

Viktor Vasnetsov. Bogatyrs - Tretyakov Gallery

In book illustrations, the fabulous engravings of Ivan Bilibin have become most famous.

Illustration by Ivan Bilibin for "Vasilisa the Beautiful" - Belfry-MG, 2019

Russian beauties in kokoshniks and heroes became popular images even in trade - they were depicted, for example, on packages.

Chocolate "Narodny" - I. P. Romanenkova Factory of chocolate and sweets - Kharkiv

Theatrical art also took a sharp turn. At the beginning of the 20th century, entrepreneur Sergei Diaghilev organized Russian Seasons in Europe, during which he took exhibitions, ballet and opera performances on tour. The most famous ballet in the Russian style is Igor Stravinsky's Firebird, costumes and scenography for which were performed by Leon Bakst, also a member of the World of Art.

Russian motifs appeared in interiors - tiled stoves and folk embroidery became fashionable. The art of jewelry did not lag behind - Faberge and other craftsmen began to produce tableware and precious trinkets in the style of medieval Russia.

Salt shaker. Jewelry firm P. A. Ovchinnikov, 1894 - State Historical Museum

And the apotheosis of the return of the style can be considered the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov in 1913 - the dress code of the legendary costume ball, given by the last Russian emperor Nicholas II, obliged everyone to appear in the costumes of pre-Petrine Rus.

Costume Ball Guests - Public Domain

Russian style in architecture

But, of course, the Russian style was most clearly reflected in architecture. He was especially supported by Emperor Alexander III, a reactionary and a bearer of traditional values. It was said about him that he himself looks like a Russian bear - with a spade beard, unlike his predecessors with elegant thin antennae.

It was Alexander III who approved the project for the construction of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg in the so-called pseudo-Russian style, with colored domes and mosaics. The building, completely alien to the general architectural appearance of the city, was built in 1883-1907, and it is very reminiscent of the Moscow Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed of the 16th century.

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood - Legion Media

The architectural style, which is commonly called "pseudo-Russian", has many examples in Moscow. In the 19th century, the building of the Historical Museum appeared on Red Square, designed by the architect Vladimir Sherwood. In order not to disturb the surrounding architectural ensemble, it was made of red brick and with characteristic decorative elements - an abundance of convex details, arches, tents, weights and other techniques that were actively used in ancient Russian wooden architecture.

Historical Museum - Skif-Kerch (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soon after the construction of the Historical Museum, a similar building of the City Duma appeared very close by (now it houses the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812).

The former building of the City Council, now the Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1812 - Legion Media

In the style of the old Russian boyar chambers, collector Pyotr Shchukin built a building for the future Museum of Russian Antiquities. In Soviet times, the Biological Museum named after K. A. Timiryazev was located here.

Biological Museum named after K. A. Timiryazev in Moscow - NVO (CC BY-SA 2.5)

Buildings appeared, imitating the wooden architecture of the 16-17 centuries. So, wooden patterns and carved elements can still be seen in the decor of the estate of the Slavophile Mikhail Pogodin in Moscow, and similar buildings throughout Russia.

Pogodinskaya hut - Elena Butko (CC BY-SA 4.0)

In the 20th century, architects began to bizarrely combine the pseudo-Russian style and the new Art Nouveau style. For example, the Yaroslavsky railway station in Moscow, built by Fyodor Shekhtel, is made in this style.

Yaroslavsky railway station on a pre-revolutionary postcard - Public domain

Modern Russian style

In the 2000s, there was another return to the roots and everything traditionally Russian - neohistoricism. In the Moscow estate Kolomenskoye, the wooden tower of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, father of Peter I, was restored according to old sketches.

Palace of Alexei Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye - Legion Media

In the Izmailovo park, the Izmailovsky Kremlin entertainment complex was built, which imitates Russian architecture of the 16-17 centuries.

Izmailovsky Kremlin - Legion Media

Traditional Russian motives have also become the subject of business - in the regions they offer hotels in the style of a Russian hut, lure into a Russian bath. In recent years, more and more restaurants of Russian cuisine have appeared - both traditional and with a modern rethinking of familiar products and recipes. One of the most famous chains of restaurants that exploits the Russian style - MariVanna has branches in London, New York, Moscow, Baku and promises the visitor to feel the "true Russian spirit".

Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show in Milan 2012 - Vostock-Photo

Fashion designers, both world stars and their lesser-known Russian colleagues, began to use national Russian motives in their collections. Many elements appeal to the paintings and patterns of folk art, this is lace, and the flowers of Pavloposad shawls, and white and blue colors and patterns of Gzhel.