Today I would like to tell you about an area that I feel presents a great value in the collecting of older paintings. Especially if you are a fan of an impressionist palette, social realism or love good figurative work. That area is in Russian oil sketches and finished paintings by unknown artists working from 1950-1970 or so. These are painterly as hell and very affordable. Many are available for under a $100, even $50 if you search and shop correctly. I will give you some examples later.
While we may not agree with the politics or human rights record of the Soviet Union we cannot deny the power and emotion evoked in their art. The artists, like all other citizens were expected to place the State above the individual so many of the paintings have extremely strong political and even propaganda overtones. Many paintings pictured Stalin or Lenin outside with peasants or school children or the same giving speeches or attending other political gatherings. Many of these paintings were huge, more like banners. Here are some examples:
Another%2Bexample%2Bof%2BSocialist%2BRealism.%2BAgain-%2Bthe%2Bpainting%2Bdoes%2Blittle%2Bin%2Bterms%2Bof%2Bexperimental%2Bcontent%2Bor%2Bstyle%2C%2Binstead%2Boffering%2Ban%2Bidealized%2Bvision%2Bof%2BSoviet%2Bsociety.jpg)
Thousands of oil sketches were done for these huge dramatic paintings. Artists and art students alike were involved in the whole State sponsored process. Nonetheless I think they are really great paintings. Here are some of the oil sketches I was talking about as being a great value:
See what I mean? You can have a nice, old impressionist painting for under $100. If you can afford $200-$300 you can get bigger and better examples of Russian impressionism. Check Ebay, Etsy, etc. use search words like Ukraine art, Russian art, Russian oil sketch or any you want to make up, just keep searching. Tip: always ask if you can combine items for shipping.
While we may not agree with the politics or human rights record of the Soviet Union we cannot deny the power and emotion evoked in their art. The artists, like all other citizens were expected to place the State above the individual so many of the paintings have extremely strong political and even propaganda overtones. Many paintings pictured Stalin or Lenin outside with peasants or school children or the same giving speeches or attending other political gatherings. Many of these paintings were huge, more like banners. Here are some examples:
Available here for $95
Available here for $15
Available here for $20
Available here for $50
Available here for $15
Available here for $40
Available here for $80
See what I mean? You can have a nice, old impressionist painting for under $100. If you can afford $200-$300 you can get bigger and better examples of Russian impressionism. Check Ebay, Etsy, etc. use search words like Ukraine art, Russian art, Russian oil sketch or any you want to make up, just keep searching. Tip: always ask if you can combine items for shipping.
