On the phenomenon of the artistic school: from history to modernity

Abstract

This article explores the phenomenon of the artistic school in a historical context, drawing on both Russian and international art. It presents various perspectives from prominent artists on the role and significance of schools, which are closely tied to the goals of a national school — preserving traditions and training highly skilled specialists. By examining examples from European art academies, the Imperial and also Russian Academy of Arts, it traces the evolution of ideas about the artistic school, its organizational activities, and its contribution to the formation of Russian and world culture. The article defines the concept of a “school” as a long-term artistic unity, emphasizing the continuity of principles and methods, as well as its distinctiveness in terms of nationality, style, and concept. It also raises the controversial issue of the need for and value of artistic schools, citing examples of the debates surrounding the schools of E. Delacroix and J.A.D. Ingres, and includes the opinions of A. Matisse, M. Vrubel, and P. Cézanne on the importance of breaking free from the influence of predecessors in order to find one’s own creative path. The article also highlights the role of schools in teaching the fundamentals of art, stimulating creativity, and developing professionalism. It references the ideas of P. Chistyakov on pedagogical principles aimed at fostering student independence, and I. Repin on the importance of hard work and the transmission of creative energy. Additionally, the article analyses the importance of mastering technique, drawing, and colour as fundamental components of art education, providing examples from the approaches of L. da Vinci, E. Degas, and I. Repin. Finally, it examines the formation and development of the Russian artistic school in a historical context, beginning with the Imperial Academy of Arts and its transformations after the Revolution, and continuing through to the modern Russian Academy of Arts, the V.I. Surikov Moscow State Academic Institute, and the S.G. Stroganov Moscow Higher School of Art and Design.