Paintings by famous artists who fall under the censorship

Censorship of art acted not only in the Soviet times. In the times of Tsarist Russia fell under the ban works fairly well-known artists. The reason for the failure to demonstrate the work of art could serve as a truthful picture of events or, on the contrary, extraordinary interpretations. Sometimes it is hard to believe that the scope of censorship got real masterpieces of art.

"Ivan the Terrible and his Son November 16, 1581", Ilya Repin, 1885

The idea of ​​writing a historical picture of the artist born in 1881, inspired by two events: the assassination of Alexander II and listen to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Revenge". Two years later the artist to see a bullfight in Spain and was completely discouraged by the sight of blood.

Then direct the work on the picture itself, which was completed in 4 years was launched. The film was appreciated by the critics and the artists, but the king Alexander III of, on the contrary, caused such discontent that he immediately rebuked her someone to show. Within three months of the artist Alexei Bogolyubov sought lifting of the ban. In the end, the work of Ilya Repin made for exhibitions.

"The ship aid" and "Food Distribution", Ivan Aivazovsky 1892

"Food Distribution", Ivan Aivazovsky, 1892. / Photo: www.art-catalog.ru

Two paintings by Ivan Aivazovsky not too eager to show today, did not enjoy the favor of the rulers are in tsarist Russia. During the famine years of 1892-1893 in the Volga region and the south of Russia help ordinary people trying to provide the same ordinary Americans.

"The ship aid," Ivan Aivazovsky, 1892. / Photo: www.regnum.ru

They collected food and five ships sent him to Russia. We can not say that the country's leaders welcomed the gathering aid for Russia, but prohibit their nationals to do good deeds, they just could not. This event became the basis for the plot of two paintings by the famous painter of seascapes, which were banned in Russia. Particular dissatisfaction caused Emperor "Food Distribution", where a farmer in a cart with the products of the American flag waving. As a result, Aivazovsky gave them to the Washington gallery.

, "What is truth?", Nikolai Ge 1890

Painting Nikolai Ge depicting Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ, has caused resentment and a ban to be shown by the Holy Synod. It's all about the game of light and patterns of thought. Contrary to tradition, in the rays of sunlight are not the artist depicted Jesus and Pontius Pilate. At the same time, Jesus looks very haggard and small compared to Pilate. Some Nikolai Ge colleagues perceived picture is critical. Maecenas Tretyakov refused to buy it at first for his gallery, but later changed his mind under the influence of Leo Tolstoy.

"pogrom", Vasily Silverstov 1934

A lot of pictures of the Ukrainian artists, including painting Basil Silvestrov "pogrom" has got not just a ban, and could be destroyed in the first half of the twentieth century. Up until 1937 the painting going only to simply burn. And here already it was not about the skill of the artist, or the controversy of the plot. The main problem was getting the personality of the artist. Many writers have been punished, some sent to the camp, others were shot.

"Mystery of the XX century", Ilya Glazunov

It was assumed that the painting brush Ilya Glazunov will be the main exhibit of the exhibition of the Union of Artists. But the real scandal broke out instead of the grand opening of the exhibition. Commission represent nothing more than an organ of censorship, demanded to immediately remove the picture from the exhibition.

However, the artist went on principle and refused to follow the instructions of the censors. Fortunately, his authority in that time was already so high that Glazunov not exiled to the camp, but only told to go to the remote corners of the Soviet Union and draw portraits of leaders of manufacture, the builders of BAM, workers and farmers. Despite the fact that the picture was banned, the artist himself is not even denied in foreign missions. It took advantage of Ilya Glazunov, and brought the picture in Germany.