The Russian Romanticism

Bogatyrs by Victor Vasnetsov, 1881 - 1898

The French invasion of Russian (1812), the movement of the Decembrists, and ideas of the French Revolution influenced the evaluation and development of the Russian Romanticism. The most significant feature of this movement is the development and deepening of the tasks of the Russian Enlightenment.

A distinctive feature of the Russian Romanticism from the Romanticism in other countries was the fact that the word ‘Romanticism’ was close with the word ‘Patriotism’ in their meanings. The victory of Russia in the war of 1812 was a reason of connection of these two words. The Russian Romanticism is the combination of The Romanticism and The Realism. Romantics chose for their works extraordinary scenes of life, history, and nature. It could be heroic war scenes, galloping at full speed riders, the phenomenon of a thunderstorm or storms. In the work ‘Bogatyrs’ by Victor Vasnetsov we can see features which are inherent to the Russian Romanticism. That is patriotism, fairy tales, nature.

Marine art was highlighted in the Russian Romanticism. Ivan Aivazovsky was the founder of this movement in Russia. His works recreate the grandeur and power of the sea. Many of his works were devoted to the exploits of Russian sailors.

Special mention should be made about the role of portraits in the works of Russian romantic artists. Artists wanted to step away from everyday routine, and to present a person in his exclusive minutes when the best in them was revealed. Russian people, who were heroic defenders of Russia in the war of 1812, fit for this role. 

Portrait of E.V. Davydov by Orest Kiprensky, 1809