Keywords
painting, book graphics, Vitaly Volovich, B. Brecht, triptych, “Fear and Despair in the Third Empire”,
How to Cite
Shishin M. Y. The triptych “Fear and Despair in the Third Empire” by Vitaly Volovich // The Art of Eurasia, 2020. № 3 (18). P. 195–202. URL: https://doi.org/10.46748/ARTEURAS.2020.03.018.
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Abstract
The article is devoted to the work of Vitaly Volovich, graphic artist, author of several large cycles of illustrations for classical works: “Heather Honey” by R. Stevenson; Shakespeare's Othello and Richard III; series “Circus”, “Workshop”, etc. The purpose of the article is to reveal the peculiarities of the artist's creative method on the example of analysis and interpretation of the triptych “Fear and Despair in the Third Empire”. This goal required an integrated methodological approach to the analysis of the artist's work, combining a philosophical, art analysis with elements of literary criticism. As a result of the study, the following conclusions were obtained. First, V.M. Volovich gravitated towards deep generalizations, strove, using the language of symbols and allegories, to find a reflection of the contemporary problems that worried him. Secondly, the triptych “Fear and Despair in the Third Empire” marks a turning point in the artist's work, and is an artistic and philosophical reflection on the drama of B. Brecht. Third, the example of this work shows that the artist does not become an illustrator of a literary text, but, having understood the writer's intention, turns to his central idea and it is for it that he creates his own plastic and symbolic-metaphorical language.
Acknowledgments
The article was prepared with the financial support of the RFBR. Grant No. 19-412-220003 r_a “Explication of the artistic cultural potential of the Altai Krai and determination of the mechanisms of its use in regional and international tourist projects.”
The author is grateful to the State Art Museum of Altai Krai for providing photos of artworks from the Museum collection.
References
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- Volovich V.M. Zhenshchiny i monstry: risunok, akvarel', tempera, ofort [Women and monsters: drawing, watercolor, tempera, etching]. Introd. by. Lev Zaks. Ekaterinburg, Avtograf Publ., 2013. 397 p. (In Russian).
- Volovich V. Knizhnaya, stankovaya grafika [Book, easel graphics: Exhibition catalog]. Comp., introd. by N. Gorbacheva. Sverdlovsk, S. n., 1985. 48 p. (In Russian).
- Volovich V.M. Korabl' durakov: catiricheskaya komediya v 13 glavakh [The Ship of Fools: a satirical comedy in 13 chapters: album]. Ekaterinburg, Avtograf Publ., 2016. 552 p. (In Russian).
- Volovich V.M. Masterskaya: guash', ofort, risunok [Workshop: gouache, etching, drawing: album]. Transl. in English by V. Dorogokuplya. Ekaterinburg, Avtograf Publ., 2011. 428 p. (In Russian).
- Volovich V.M. Masterskaya: zapiski khudozhnika [Workshop: artist's notes]. Ekaterinburg, Avtograf Publ., 2017. 601 p. (In Russian).
- Volovich V.M. Parad-alle: grafika, risunok, akvarel', guash', ofort, shelkografiya [Parade alle: graphics, drawing, watercolor, gouache, etching, silk-screen printing: album]. Ekaterinburg, Avtograf Publ., 2011. 352 p. (In Russian).
- Volovich V.M. 100 illyustratsii k proizvedeniyam klassicheskoi khudozhestvennoi literatury [100 illustrations for works of classical fiction: album]. Ekaterinburg, Avtograf Publ., 2008. 252 p. (In Russian).
- Shestnadtsat' reproduktsii [Sixteen reproductions]. Introd. by L. Dyakonitsyna. Leningrad, Khudozhnik RSFSR Publ., 1975. (In Russian).
- Zasluzhennyi khudozhnik RSFSR Vitalii Mikhailovich Volovich [Honored Artist of the RSFSR Vitaly Mikhailovich Volovich: exhibition catalog]. Comp., introd. by S.V. Golynets. Leningrad, Khudozhnik RSFSR Publ., 1977. 17 p. (In Russian).
