Symbolism, as a cultural trend, originated at the end of the 19th century in France, but subsequently acquired a global character, capturing, in particular, Russian painting.
The origin of Russian symbolism
Russian Symbolists first declared themselves in 1904 in Saratov, where the "Scarlet Rose" exhibition was held. A group of like-minded people who then organized this exhibition and invited Mikhail Vrubel and Viktor Borisov-Muskatov to it as guests was also called the "Scarlet Rose". Both of the above artists were prominent representatives of Russian Symbolism in painting. It is noteworthy that the rose that appears in the name of this group was chosen by its representatives as a symbol of integrity and purity.
The purpose of symbolism
Among all the representatives of Symbolism who worked in Germany, America, France, Belgium, Norway, Russians are rightfully recognized as the brightest and most outstanding. A distinctive feature of symbolism as a genre of painting is the advancement to the forefront of the world not material, as in realism, but spiritual, ideological. However, this does not mean at all that these two worlds are opposed to each other in symbolism. On the contrary, the symbolist artists set themselves the goal of connecting these two worlds together, drawing an invisible bridge between them, and establishing a connection. It was the Russian Symbolists, as many note, who approached this goal like no other. Despite the fact that realism as a genre of painting was presented as the antipode of symbolism, nevertheless, both realism and impressionism always went somewhere close to symbolism. The Symbolists even relied on realism when creating their works and in no way denied it.
Features of Russian Symbolism
As well as Symbolism in general, the works of Russian Symbolists are distinguished from other pictorial paintings by the image at the head of not the everyday, but the mysterious and even divine. This divine can find a way out in the experiences of the character of the picture, and can be expressed in natural phenomena, as well as in nature itself. This is clearly seen in the most outstanding work of Russian artists of Symbolism - "The Seated Demon", the author of which is Mikhail Vrubel. Valentin Serov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov also distinguished themselves in the creation of the heritage of Russian symbolism. These artists mainly focused on the theme of the personality of a person who does not have divine principles, at the same time, his inner experiences create the impression of a certain sublimity and detachment from the material world. All of them brought the Russian spirit to such a genre of painting as Symbolism, and, of course, made a special contribution to the development of Symbolism as a painting trend.
