The centenary of Lenins birth inspired many sculptors to create a number of monuments to the leader of the proletariat monuments that have been erected in the Soviet Union and abroad (among them one in Leningrad, designed by M. Anikushin, and the other in Berlin, designed by N.Tomsky).
The large-scale plastic art has attained extraordinarily wide scope lately. Memorials and monumental sculptures have appeared in many cities in Russia and abroad, devoted to outstanding statesmen, scientists and artists, to heroes of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, to victims of nazism and the events of the Civil War.The solution of the problem of the large-scale complex, of a synthesis of fine arts in monumental ensembles is of great importance.
A number of monumental sculptures have been created by N.Tomsky, Ye. Vuchetich, V.Tsigal, L.Kerbel, A.Faydysh, V. Isayeva, L.Golovnitsky, etc. Studio sculpture continues to develop. Some of the finest examples in this field have been executed by M. Anikushin, L.Lankinen, Yu. Alexandrov, T.Sokolova and V.Tsigal. The sculptures of L.Kremneva, Yu.Chernov and the typically lyrical compositions of Ye. Belashova, A.Pologova and O.Komov are devoted to the working people.
A breadth of conception and a striving for a poetic vision of life distinguish the genre of easel graphic works. In 1961 V.Favorsky created the propaganda engraving We Must Secure Disarmament, and shortly before that Birds in Flight, one of the most poetic pieces in Russian graphic art. This approach to life, to the problems of our time symbolizes the many-faceted view of the world, of the tasks of art, which is characteristic of the Russian graphic school.
At the end of the fifties and the sixties prints gained great popularity. The flourishing of this genre is above all connected with the work of the pupils and followers of Favorsky, among them the Moscow artists: I. Golitsyn, G. Zakharov,
A. Borodin, and K. Nazarov; the Leningraders A. Ushin and V. Vetrogonsky; and artists from the autonomous republics, including A.Sakharovskaya and D.Briukhanov. Their works show certain common stylistic features: an abundance of sharply outlined silhouettes, of dramatic contrasts of black and white and striking compositional schemes. The thematic series of these artists are not merely examples of graphic skill, they are portrayals of life, always seen from an individual point of view, with the stress on the depth, profundity and richness of life. They depict landscapes of the Far North and such regions as Buryatia, Yakutia and the Chuckchee peninsula, and also the life of Moscow, the life of intelligentsia, the life of peasants and workers.
Over the last few years the etching has become as popular as the linocut. Many artists also remain faithful to such techniques as drawing, water-colour and gouache. Water-colours by N. Volkov, V. Alfeyevsky, and A. Kokorin show lyrical townscapes of Moscow, its new and old districts, and other cities or towns of the Soviet Union.
The graphic series by L.Soyfertis devoted to sporting events and the Moscow Metro are notable for their original manner of execution which combines light sophistication with a sharp, almost grotesque element.
The series of easel graphic works by V.Tsigal and N.Ponomariov reflect the artists meditations about the people, their work, and their links with nature. Ponomariovs Vietnam series is interesting not only because of his discovery of new motifs, but primarily because of his concern for the life of people fighting for their countrys freedom.
Black-and-white book illustrations extend to all kinds of literature Russian and world classics, Soviet multinational literature, epic and popular science literature; a large group of illustrators also work for literary periodicals. Book illustrators in Moscow and Leningrad are known for their high standards of book design and illustration, and their view of the book as an integral artistic whole. V.Favorsky continued to work in Moscow to the very end of his life. A. Goncharov, S.Pozharsky, S.Telingater, I. Fomina, E.Burgunker, D.Bisti, and B. Markevich who concentrated mainly on lino- and woodcuts have greatly contributed to book design and illustration. Whole series of book illustrations of great interest have been executed by D.Shmarinov, N. Kuzmin, B.Prorokov, Ye. Kibrik, V.Goriayev, V. Minayev, etc. Among Leningrad artists we should mention V.Konashevich, A. Pakhomov, G.Yepifanov, Ye.Charushin, and Yu. Vasnetsov. The Leningrad school of graphic art has always been famous for childrens books. A pioneer in this field, V. Lebedev developed in a truly creative way the principles of design and illustration of books for the youngest children. He and his pupils have collaborated to good effect with well-known Soviet writers and poets. Lebedev and his pupils have illustrated books by S. Marshak and K. Chukovsky, which have become classics in their own field and attained world fame. These books are constantly being reprinted, they do not lose their aesthetic value as years go by, and they enjoy popularity with every new generation of the readers. Soviet book illustration has achieved international recognition, and many publications have been awarded prizes of various kinds at international competitions.