In the constellation of Soviet artists and poets, Varvara Stepanova occupies not the main place, but quite a worthy one. The debut of her route in art coincided with the revolution. At that stage, traditions in life were collapsing and stereotypes in creativity were breaking.
early years
Different peoples and religions coexisted peacefully within the Russian Empire. Contradictions and heated debates arose only among the creative intelligentsia. After 1917, avant-garde art became a new trend in painting. Varvara Fedorovna Stepanova, a talented artist and poet, fell under the influence of new ideas and approaches. She had a classical education and practical skills in painting and canvas. At the same time, she could not resist the enthusiasm for symbolism. Due to the fact that a purposeful master was next to her, Varvara was able to show her abilities to the fullest.
The future avant-garde artist was born on October 21, 1894 in a family of employees. Parents lived in the city of Kovno. My father worked in the postal department. The mother was engaged in housekeeping. Varvara from an early age demonstrated an ability for literature and drawing. Until the age of sixteen, she studied at the women's gymnasium. In 1910 she was sent to her relatives in Kazan. Here she learned the basics of fine art at an art school. Having received a specialized education, Stepanova moved to Moscow. She wanted to acquire design skills in the classroom at the famous Stroganov School of Industrial Art.
Creative activity
In 1916, Stepanova and her husband received a suitable premises for use, in which they opened their workshop. At that time, Varvara was fond of writing non-objective poems. This was fashionable among the Symbolist poets. Later, when the artist becomes wise and judicious, she will rate her hobbies as "blatant rubbish." However, there was a useful component to this rubbish. Famous poets in a narrow circle turned to the artist for help - she was engaged in illustration and design of books that were being prepared for publication.
The career of an abstract painter developed successfully, but ended by the beginning of the 20s. From abstract and non-objective painting, Stepanova moved on to "production" art. Varvara began to create models of clothing, refusing the dictate of decorativeness. In her keynote article, which was published in the pages of the journal "Left Front of the Arts", she put the convenience and functionality of clothing first. During this period, Stepanova worked closely with the Moscow print factory. The artist created various colors for fabrics.
Recognition and privacy
Varvara Stepanova's creative range was unusually wide. She has collaborated with magazines and book publishers. She was engaged in the design of the facades of newly erected buildings. Created scenery for theatrical performances.
The personal life of the artist has developed well. She married Alexander Rodchenko early. The husband and wife worked together. They have a daughter. The grandson became an art critic and studied the work of his grandparents. Varvara Stepanova died in May 1958. She was buried in Moscow at the Donskoy cemetery with her husband.
