"Salt of the Earth" - an exhibition dedicated to the theme of the peasantry in the 19-20 century

YAROSLAVL. “Salt of the Earth” - under this name, an exhibition of paintings on the theme of peasant life in the works of artists of the 19-20 centuries opened in the city art museum on July 5. For the first time the epithet "salt of the earth" was heard from the mouth of Jesus Christ, in his appeal to the disciples. Later, they began to call people who were the breadwinners of the country, who kept and continued its spiritual traditions. You can rightfully attribute them to the peasantry.

Russian artists turned to the topic of the peasantry rather late. The legacy of the 18th century was just a few paintings, which depicted the toilers of the earth. Paintings of peasant themes written in the 19th century, belonging to the brush of A. Venetsianov and his followers, were created in its first half. The canvases of this period are characterized by the image of the bright sides of rural life, the desire of painters to create paintings that represent the ideal world of peaceful peasants living in unity with the beauty of nature.

The Wanderers, who created the canvases in the second half of the same century, tried to bring them closer to reality. Their works showed both hard work and the poverty of peasant life. At this time, many artists turned to the topic of spirituality and religion in the life of peasants. Pictures began to appear depicting pilgrims heading to distant monasteries.

The exhibition exposition begins with the truthful paintings of the Wanderers, depicting the life and customs of the peasant estate. Two exhibition halls are given for paintings painted in Soviet times. The organizers of the exhibition say that they created such an exposition for the first time. Among the paintings presented at the exhibition there are many works created by Yaroslavl artists.

You can visit the exposition on September 14th.

Ludmila Trautmane © Gallerix.ru