Following in the Footsteps of a Giant
In the footsteps of a giant the Russian people follow, the not so silent majority rises. The man who brought this scene to canvas was Boris Mikhailovich Kustodiev, a man who had grown up poor and fell in with the Soviet ideals. As a young man he worked along other painters, one of which being Repin. Through his career he painted many scenes but Soviet Nationalism and cultural pieces stayed his focus. Pieces like this one “The Bolshevik” (1917) a work of art depicting the rise against tsarism characterized his career. The picture itself is supposedly the view Kustodiev had of the uprising from his studio window on the date that the fate of the monarchy was decided. a decision made not buy the nobility or upper classes but by the Russian people.
Being an early supporter of the revolution it is no surprise that Kustodiev uses this opportunity to glorify the part as well as the Russian people. This piece of art captures not only a snapshot of history but also a feeling. A feeling of hope for the future but also a feeling of pride. In a moment Kustodiev captures the sum of the Russian peoples victory. In his rendering of this he does not only depict what he sees. He depicts the invisible giant that leads this revolution or does he depict the man but represents his importance in his characterization as a giant? But this may not be a man at all, I am of the opinion that this giant is the Bolshevik giant. A giant representing the party that has grown large with the public’s discontent, powerful with the discord, and now it leads the mob. A mob under a red banner, a banner that leads all people from all situations to a new future. A future that will finally be shaped by the people and not the spoiled rulers.
In looking at this piece of art a few items are prevalent. First in the crowd many classes of people are shown. Soldiers, peasants, even upper class people in automobiles. The crowd seems to be marching forward with a jubilant demeanor. Perhaps the artist wanted the audience to see this a glorious, almost happy revolution and not as one that claimed many lives. The artist also depicts the crowd passing through a well built prosperous section of city, might this be a sign of good things to come? One thing is certain however, the artist believes that this revolution is just and the correct course for his nation.
Sources:
http://www.rusartist.org/boris-mikhailovich-kustodiev-1878-1927/#.VeyOehFViko
September 7, 2015 @ 2:24 pm
Well written piece! I like the painting that you chose to write about, it’s a very interesting piece of artwork. I think that your interpretation of the giant in the painting is well thought through and makes a lot of sense. The bolshevik giant and the people’s embodiment of the revolution is really portrayed through this painting. Your speculations also at the end of your post bring up some valid points that could also have some revolutionary and symbolic meaning.
September 7, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
Great post. I thought you did a a great job depicting the meaning of the painting. Especially when you described the demeanor of the crowd, I would’ve never gotten that.
September 7, 2015 @ 7:22 pm
You found a great painting, one that drew my eyes. It just shows who really led the revolution, and you point that out very well. This is one piece that I can actually understand and is appealing to my eyes. Great post!
September 8, 2015 @ 3:24 pm
This painting is one of the most interesting that I have seen concerning early 20th century Russia and the rise of the USSR. It really opens your eyes to how important the Party actually was and how central it was to the Russian way of life after 1917. Your observation that the crowds are made up of many different kinds of people is completely right. The Soviet leaders were trying to sell their government as one of the people and that everybody was equal and no one had a higher standing than the next person. You had great insight on this painting so thank you for sharing!
September 8, 2015 @ 11:50 pm
I definitely agree with the idea that the revolution is to be one of glory and peace, without bloodshed a violence. The image of not only the lower class peoples but the upper class peoples being in a happy and joyous state but the beautiful and non war-torn buildings of the area also exemplify this idea. The Bolshevik revolution being lead by the lower class is definitely prominent with the way the giant is dressed in the picture. Very simply clothing. The seriousness of the giant I believe emphasizes the fact that the Bolsheviks are disciplined and well mannered and not barbarians.