The way of artistic searches. Andrei Osipovich Nikulin

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the creative work and to the unique way of artistic searches of the talented Russian painter Andrei Nikulin (1878-1945) in the early 20th century who made a significant contribution to the development of Russian visual culture, but due to the prevailing historical conditions and life circumstances, and fragmentation of the collection he was neglected by leading national art historians. Being a bright and original personality, a European educated artist who was asserting his right for individuality, all his life looking for his way and his own themes in art, Nikulin was formed as an artist not in the environment of the capital, but in provincial Russia. Searches of Art Nouveau style artists are reflected in the creative work of the artist. It happened so that the name of Andrei Nikulin didn’t become a textbook one, furthermore it was neglected for many years. The collection of Nikulin’s works, assembled by the efforts of several generations of museum’s employees of the Altay State Art Museum, is not only a pride of the museum but also creates the prerequisites for a full and large-scale presentation of the artist’s activities. The heritage of the painter comprises landscape, portrait, theatrical decoration, journal and original graphic art, and literary work. It is time to return the name of Andrei Nikulin into the art and historical environment having enlarged and enriched our concept about the variety and specific features of art process in Russia at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.