Peredvizhniki (, ), often called The Wanderers or The Itinerants in English, were a group of Russian realist artists who formed an artists' cooperative in protest of academic restrictions; it evolved into the ''Society for Travelling Art Exhibitions'', in short ''Peredvizhniks'', in 1870.

History

In 1863 a group of fourteen students decided to leave the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg. The students found the rules of the Academy constraining; the teachers were conservative and there was a strict separation between high and low art. In an effort to bring art to the people, the students formed an independent artistic society; The Petersburg Cooperative of Artists (Artel). In 1870, this organization was largely succeeded by the Association of Travelling Art Exhibits (Peredvizhniki) to give people from the provinces a chance to follow the achievements of Russian Art, and to teach people to appreciate art. The society maintained independence from state support and brought the art, which illustrated the contemporary life of the people from

Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...

and

Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd and later Leningrad, is the List of cities and towns in Russia by population, second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is situated on the Neva, River Neva, at the head of the Gulf of Finland ...

, to the provinces. From 1871 to 1923, the society arranged 48 mobile exhibitions in St. Petersburg and Moscow, after which they were shown in

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Oryol Oryol ( rus, Орёл, , ɐˈrʲɵl, a=ru-Орёл.ogg, links=y, ), also transliterated as Orel or Oriol, is a Classification of inhabited localities in Russia, city and the administrative center of Oryol Oblast, Russia, situated on the Oka Rive ...

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and other cities.

Influence of literary critics

Peredvizhniki were influenced by the public views of the literary critics Vissarion Belinsky and Nikolai Chernyshevsky, both of whom espoused liberal ideas. Belinsky thought that literature and art should attribute a social and moral responsibility. Like most Slavophiles, Chernyshevsky ardently supported the emancipation of

serfs Serfdom was the status of many peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to manorialism and similar systems. It was a condition of debt bondage and indentured servitude with similarities to and differences from slavery. It developed dur ...

, which was finally realized in the reform of 1861. He viewed press censorship, serfdom, and capital punishment as Western influences. Because of his political activism, officials prohibited publication of any of his writing, including his dissertation; but it eventually found its way to the art world of nineteenth-century Russia. In 1863, almost immediately after the emancipation of serfs, Chernyshevsky's goals were realized with the help of Peredvizhniki, who took the pervasive Slavophile-populist idea that Russia had a distinguishable, modest, inner beauty of its own and worked out how to display it on canvas.

Subjects of the paintings

Peredvizhniki portrayed the many-sided aspects of social life, often critical of inequities and injustices. But their art showed not only poverty but also the beauty of the folk way of life; not only suffering but also fortitude and strength of characters. Peredvizhniki condemned the

Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...

n aristocratic orders and autocratic government in their humanistic art. They portrayed the emancipation movement of Russian people with empathy (for example, ''The Arrest of a Propagandist'', ''Refusal of Confession'', and '' They Did Not Expect Him'' by Ilya Yefimovich Repin). They portrayed social-urban life, and later used historic art to depict the common people ('' The Morning of the Streltsy Execution'' by

Vasily Surikov Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (; 24 January 1848 – 19 March 1916) was a Russian Realism (arts), realist history painter. Many of his works have become familiar to the general public through their use as illustrations. Biography He was born to an ...

). During their blossoming (1870–1890), the Peredvizhniki society developed an increasingly wider scope, with more natural and free images. In contrast to the traditional dark palette of the time, they chose a lighter palette, with a freer manner in their technique. They worked for naturalness in their images, and the depiction of people's relationship with their surroundings. The society united most of the highly talented artists of the country. Among Peredvizhniki there were artists of

Ukraine Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...

Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...

, and

Armenia Armenia, officially the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of West Asia. It is a part of the Caucasus region and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia (country), Georgia to the north and Azerbaijan to ...

. The society also showed the work of

Mark Antokolski Mark Matveyevich Antokolsky (; 2 November 18409 July 1902) was a Russian sculptor of Lithuanian Jews, Lithuanian–Jewish descent. Biography Early life Mordukh Matysovich Antokolsky was born in Vilnius (Antokol city district), Lithuania (at t ...

, Vasili Vereshchagin, and Andrei Ryabushkin. The work of the critic and democrat Vladimir Stasov was important for the development of Peredvizhniki's art. Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov showed the work of these artists in his gallery and gave them important material and moral support.

Landscape as the most popular genre of Peredvizhniki

Landscape painting flourished in the 1870s and 1880s. Peredvizhniki painted mainly landscapes; some, like Polenov, used

plein air ''En plein air'' (; French for 'outdoors'), or plein-air painting, is the act of painting outdoors. This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules that might create a predetermined look. The theory of 'En plein air' painting is c ...

technique. Two painters, Ivan Shishkin and Isaak Levitan, painted only landscapes of Russia. Shishkin is still considered to be the Russian "Singer of forest", while Levitan's landscapes are famous for their intense moods. The Russian landscape gained importance as a national icon after Peredvizhniki. Peredvizhniki painted landscapes to explore the beauty of their own country and encourage ordinary people to love and preserve it. Levitan once said, "I imagine such a gracefulness in our Russian land – overflowing rivers bringing everything back to life. There is no country more beautiful than Russia! There can be a true landscapist only in Russia". Peredvizhniki gave a national character to landscapes, so people of other nations could recognize Russian landscape. The landscapes of Peredvizhniki are the symbolic embodiments of Russian nationality.

Reproduction of works

Even though the number of travelling exhibition visitors from the provinces was increasing during the years, the main audience was the urban elite. Local photographers created the first reproductions of Peredvizhniki's paintings, which helped popularize the works and could be bought at exhibitions. '' Niva'' magazine also published illustrated articles about the exhibitions. Since 1898, the landscapes of the society have been used in the postcard industry. Various books of poems were published with the illustrations of landscapes. Ordinary Russian people at that time could not afford to go to Moscow or Saint Petersburg, so popularization of Russian art made them familiar with a number of Russian art masterpieces. Even now publishers use the reproductions in textbooks as a visual icon of national identity.

Decline of creativity

As the authority and public influence of the society steadily grew, government officials had to stop their efforts to repress the members. Attempts were made to subordinate their activity, and raise the falling value of Academy of Arts-sanctioned works. By the 1890s, the Academy of Arts structure was including Peredvizhniki art in its classes and history, and the influence of the artists showed in national art schools.

Gallery

File:Konstantin Apollonowitsch Sawizkij 001.jpg,

Konstantin Savitsky Konstantin Apollonovich Savitsky (; 25 May 1844 — 31 January 1905) was a Russian Realism (art movement), realist painter born in the city of Taganrog in the village Frankovka or Baronovka, named after former governor Otto Pfeilizer-Frank. Toda ...

, ''Repairing the Railroad'', 1874 File:Procesión de Pascua en la región de Kursk, por Iliá Repin.jpg,

Ilya Repin Ilya Yefimovich Repin ( – 29 September 1930) was a Russian painter, born in what is today Ukraine. He became one of the most renowned artists in Russian Empire, Russia in the 19th century. His major works include ''Barge Haulers on the Volga' ...

, '' Religious Procession in Kursk Province'', 1880–1883 File:Vladimir Makovsky - Bankruptcy.JPG, Vladimir Makovsky, ''Bankruptcy'', 1881 File:Grigorij Grigorjewitsch Mjassojedow 003.jpg, Grigoriy Myasoyedov, ''Busy Time for the Mowers'' 1887 File:RooksBackOfSavrasov.jpg, Alexei Savrasov, '' The Rooks Have Returned'', 1871 File:Ivan Shishkin - Рожь - Google Art Project.jpg, Ivan Shishkin, '' A Rye Field'', 1878 File:Arkhip Kuindzhi - Ночь на Днепре - Google Art Project.jpg, Arkhip Kuindzhi, '' Moonlit Night on the Dnieper'', 1882 File:Levitan nad vech pok28.jpg, Isaac Levitan, ''Over Eternal Peace'', 1894 File:Vasily Perov - Портрет Ф.М.Достоевского - Google Art Project.jpg, Vasily Perov, Portrait of

Fyodor Dostoyevsky Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. () was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist. He is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in both Russian literature, Russian and world literature, and many of his works are consider ...

, 1872 File:Kramskoy Portrait of a Woman.jpg, Ivan Kramskoi, '' Portrait of an Unknown Woman'', 1883 File:Serov devochka s persikami.jpg, Valentin Serov, '' The girl with peaches'', 1887 File:Vladimir Solovyov 1892 by Nikolay Yarochenko.jpg, Nikolai Yaroshenko, Portrait of Vladimir Solovyov, 1892 File:Illarion Michajlowitsch Prjanischnikow 002.jpg, Illarion Pryanishnikov, ''Jokers''. Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, 1865 File:Wassilij Grigorjewitsch Perow 004.jpg, Vasily Perov, ''The Hunters at Rest'', 1871 File: Moscow Courtyard (Polenov, 1878).jpg, Vasily Polenov, '' Moscow Courtyard'', 1878 File:Maximov Everything In the Past.jpg, Vassily Maximov, ''Everything In the Past'', 1889 File:Peter the Great Interrogating the Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich.jpg, Nikolai Ge, '' Peter the Great Interrogating the Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich at Peterhof'', 1871 File:Surikov streltsi.jpg,

, '' The Morning of the Streltsy Execution'', 1881 File:Ilja Jefimowitsch Repin - Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks - Yorck.jpg, Ilya Repin, '' Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks'', 1880–1891 File:Tsar boyar duma.jpg, Andrei Ryabushkin, ''Session of Tsar

Michael I Michael I may refer to: * Pope Michael I of Alexandria, Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark in 743–767 * Michael I Rangabe, Byzantine Emperor (died in 844) * Michael I Cerularius, Patriarch Michael I of Constantinop ...

with Boyar Duma'', 1893 File:Iwan Nikolajewitsch Kramskoj 002.jpg, Ivan Kramskoi, '' The Mermaids'', 1871 File:Ilya Repin - Sadko - Google Art Project levels adjustment 2.jpg, Ilya Repin, '' Sadko'', 1876 File:Vasnetsov samolet.jpg,

Viktor Vasnetsov Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov (; 15 May (New Style, N.S.), 1848 – 23 July 1926) was a Russian artist who specialised in mythological and historical subjects. He is considered a co-founder of Russian folklorist and romantic nationalistic pain ...

, '' The Flying Carpet'', 1890 File:Viktor Vasnetsov - Богатыри - Google Art Project.jpg, Viktor Vasnetsov, ''The Bogatyrs'', 1898 File:Christ in the Wilderness - Ivan Kramskoy - Google Cultural Institute.jpg, Ivan Kramskoi, '' Christ in the Desert'', 1872 File:What-is-truth02.jpg, Nikolai Ge, ''What is Truth?'', 1890 File:Vasnetsov Bapt Vladimir.jpg, Viktor Vasnetsov, ''Baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir'', 1890 File:Mikhail Nesterov 001.jpg,

Mikhail Nesterov Mikhail Vasilyevich Nesterov (; – 18 October 1942) was a Russian and Soviet painter; associated with the Peredvizhniki and Mir iskusstva. He was one of the first exponents of Symbolist art in Russia. Biography He was born to a strong ...

, '' The Vision to the Youth Bartholomew'', 1890

Members

''Peredvizhniki'' artists included: * Abram Arkhipov * Ivan Bogdanov * Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky * Alexey BogolyubovSee Bogolyubov article * Pavel Brullov * Nikolai Ge *

Kārlis Hūns Karl Jacob Wilhelm Huhn (, ; 13 November 1831 – 28 January 1877) was a Baltic-German history, Genre art, genre and landscape painterGreat Soviet Encyclopedia, General Editor: A. M. Prokhorov. 3rd edition, Moscow 1972, vol.7 "Гоголь — Д� ...

* Nikolay Kasatkin * Alexander Kiselyov * Ivan Kramskoi * Arkhip Kuindzhi * Nikolai Kuznetsov * Isaac Levitan * Rafail Levitsky * Alexander Litovchenko * Vladimir Makovsky * Vassily Maximov * Grigoriy Myasoyedov * Leonid Pasternak * Vasily Perov * Konstantin Pervukhin * Vasily Polenov * Illarion Pryanishnikov *

* Andrei Ryabushkin * Antonina Rzhevskaya *

* Alexei Savrasov * Valentin Serov *

Emily Shanks Emily Shanks, also known as Emiliya Yakovlevna Shanks (; 1 August 1857, in Moscow – 13 January 1936, in London), was a British painter living in Moscow. She was the first woman to be elected to the Russian Society for Travelling Art Exhibitio ...

* Ivan Shishkin * Alexei Stepanov *

* Vitaly Tikhov *

Apollinary Vasnetsov Apollinary Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov (; – 23 January 1933) was a Russian painter and graphic artist. He specialised in scenes from the medieval history of Moscow. Vasnetsov did not receive a formal artistic education. He had studied under his ...

* Yefim Volkov * Nikolai Yaroshenko * Nikolai Zagorsky

References

External links

"A battle for the 'people's cause' or for the market case" – Cairn.info

by Kristen M. Harkness,

Smarthistory Smarthistory is a free resource for the study of art history created by art historians Beth Harris and Steven Zucker. Smarthistory is an independent not-for-profit organization and the official partner of the Khan Academy for art history. It is ...

"The Seeds of Russia's Cultural Revolution: The Peredvizhniki (Wanderers) and The Society for Traveling Art Exhibitions"

Society of Traveling Exhibitions Web Site
{{Authority control 1923 disestablishments Organizations established in 1863 Russian art movements Russian artist groups and collectives Social realism