In modern schools, high school students are taught a very important and necessary subject called “World Art Culture”. The MHC course tells students about the masterpieces of architecture and art from antiquity to the present day. The program also includes such a section as monumental art. We will get to know him better now.
What is monumental art?
This is a special section of the visual arts, characterized by the plastic or semantic load of the architectural work, as well as the importance and significance of the ideological content. The word "monumental" comes from the Latin moneo, which means "remind." And no wonder, because this type of art is one of the oldest on earth.
The history of monumental art
The roots of this type of architecture and painting date back to primitive society. Ancient people then only learned to draw, clumsily held coals in their fingers, but their works of monumental painting on cave walls were already amazing. Of course, they were painted clumsily, there was no abundance of colors, but there was a sense. It was the idea of ​​ancient people about the forces of nature, their own life, various skills. Therefore, the walls of the caves were decorated with various scenes from the life of a primitive man: the extraction of a mammoth, the most beautiful woman in the cave, ritual dances by the fire, and many, many others.
Primitive society was replaced by the Ancient World, and there monumental creativity also found its place. In ancient Egypt, this art was very respected and loved. The sphinxes and Egyptian pyramids that have survived to this day tell us this. During the Renaissance, monumental architecture flourished. Such masterpieces as the statue of David, the painting “Creation of Adam”, as well as the ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel were born. All these works were performed by the genius of his time - Michelangelo Buonarroti.
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, art is moving along a new path. The most popular “modern” style was reflected in this work, because of which the majority of monumental works were performed in this direction. This especially affected painting and was reflected in the works of artists such as M. Vrubel, M. Denis and others. But architecture was not forgotten, at that time such sculptors as E. Bourdelle and A. Mayol were working. Most of the works in the genre of monumental sculpture were created with their hands , which we admire and admire to this day.
The greatest development and recognition of this type of art was in the USSR. The country of the Soviets set Napoleonic plans, and impressive monuments and pedestals perfectly reflected her ideas. Impressive, tall, sky-high statues reflect the courage and fortitude of the workers of the time.
Examples of this type of art
This includes both architectural and pictorial works. Monumental art includes mosaics, frescoes, monuments and busts, various sculptural and decorative compositions, stained glass windows and even ... fountains. Now you can see how many works of art are included here. It is no wonder that thousands of museums have been created all over the world, where panels, busts and sculptures of various eras and generations have been exhibited for the general admiration.
Variety of works
This includes two types of creativity: sculpture and art. Monumental and decorative painting usually consists of various panels, murals, bas-reliefs, etc. They serve as decoration of the environment and are necessarily part of any ensemble, being an important part of it. A variety of techniques are distinguished in monumental painting: a fresco, a stained glass window, a mosaic, etc. It is worth noting that the monumental painting is located on a specially designed structure for it or on an immovable architectural basis.
The era of the USSR and this type of creativity
Monumental art was highly valued in the USSR. It contributes to the development of artistic taste, the education of morality and patriotic feelings for their homeland. It emotionally enriches, giving when you look at it, unforgettable memories that will forever remain in the soul and hearts of both children and adults. Humanitarianism and art organization are inherent in Soviet monumental art. Works of painting and architecture, made in the appropriate style, could be found everywhere: near schools and kindergartens, factories and parks. Managed to build monuments even in the most unusual places.
This type of creativity became widespread after the October Revolution, when a new country was being built with new laws, orders and socialism. It was then that works of monumental art received special recognition among the people. All painters, sculptors, architects were seized by the urge to create a masterpiece of monumental art to show that time has changed, a new life has come, a new way of life, new discoveries in science and a new kind of art.
Immortal Work
One of the most memorable creations of those times was the magnificent monumental sculpture of Vera Mukhina “Worker and Collective Farm Girl”, personifying the hard work and feat of the Soviet people. The history of the monument is very interesting and informative. In 1936, the construction of the Palace of Soviets was completed, at the top of which was to be a monument "Worker and Collective Farm Girl". To create a sculptural structure, the best masters were selected, including Vera Mukhina. They were given two months to work and told that the statue should personify two figures - the worker and the collective farmer. Four sculptors performed the same idea in completely different ways. For someone, the figures stood calmly and serenely, for someone on the contrary, they frantically rushed forward, as if trying to overtake someone. And only Mukhina Vera Ignatyevna captured in her work a wonderful moment of the movement that was begun, but not finished. It was her work that was approved by the commission. Now the monument "Worker and Collective Farm Girl" is under restoration.
Monumental painting: examples
As mentioned above, the art of this type is rooted in ancient times. Even then, magnificent drawings were created on the walls of the caves, depicting the process of hunting, ancient rituals, etc.
Monumental and decorative painting is divided into several types:
- Fresco . This image is created on raw plaster by several types of paints, which were obtained from the pigment in the form of a powder. When this paint dries, a film forms that protects the work from external influences.
- Mosaic . The drawing is laid out on the surface with small glass or multi-colored stones.
- Tempera Works of this type are made with paints from pigment of plant origin, diluted in egg or oil. Like a fresco, it is applied to dry plaster.
- Stained glass window . It is similar to a mosaic, it is also laid out from pieces of multi-colored glass. The difference is that the pieces are joined together by spikes, and the finished product is placed in a window opening.
The most famous works of monumental painting are the frescoes of Theophanes the Greek, for example, the bilateral icon “Our Lady of the Don”, on the other side of which is the “Assumption of the Virgin”. Also, the Sistine Madonna by Rafael Santi, The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci and other paintings can be attributed to works of art.
Monumental architecture: masterpieces of world art
Good sculptors have always been worth their weight in gold. Therefore, the world was enriched with such works as the Arc de Triomphe, located in Moscow, the monument to Peter 1 “The Bronze Horseman”, the sculpture of David, made by Michelangelo and located in the Louvre, the statue of the beautiful Venus, whose arms are cut off, and many others. Such types of monumental and decorative art fascinate and attract the views of millions; you want to admire them again and again.
There are several types of architecture of this type:
- Monument Usually this is a sculpture of one or more people standing motionless or frozen in any position. They are made of stone, granite, marble.
- The monument . Immortalizes a stone event of history, such as World War II, or a great personality.
- Stele . This type of architecture is a slab of stone, granite or marble, standing upright and having any inscription or drawing.
- Obelisk. This is a pillar consisting of four edges sharpening upwards.
Conclusion
Monumental art is a complex and ambiguous thing. It causes different feelings for all people, for someone it’s pride for the masters that human hands were able to produce a masterpiece. Someone feels bewildered: how could such a job be done by an ordinary person, because there are so many small details? Another viewer will simply stop and admire the monuments of painting and architecture, both ancient and modern. But the objects of monumental art will not leave anyone indifferent. This is because all the masters who have done something in this style have a huge, remarkable, real talent, patience and boundless love for their work.