It seemed like I had already done the post on Russian art museums. Frankly, after the Hermitage, any other museum pales in comparison - and that includes not only Russian art museums, but nearly any museum on the planet. Could there be a second museum in Russia worthy of mention?
Maybe. The thing about the Hermitage is that its collection - as great as it is - is somewhat frozen in time. For some reason, the Czars quit collecting early in the 20th Century - and so the next period of Russian art is not represented. If that's what you wanted to see - you need another museum.
 |
| There's better 'SR' art in the Metro |
The New Tretyakov in Moscow houses what is called ‘contemporary art’. Located in a large 60’s style Soviet building across the river from Kremlin, the New Tretyakov traces Russian art through the 20th Century. In doing so, it captures what for me was the most interesting of Russian art, Socialist Realism.
I'm guessing Russians are not as impressed. Maybe they had enough of it. I was hoping for dozens of canvases. There was really just one room, sandwiched between pre-and post-Soviet expressions. It may be too soon for them to appreciate Socialist Realism as an art form. it is hard to see past the politics. It seems like unloved art.
Kind of like the collection of now useless statues of Soviet heroes kept in the park adjacent to the museum. Once produced with great pride and at great expense, they are now a curiosity for tourists. How the mighty have fallen. Stalin without his nose says it all.
No comments:
Post a Comment