BEST AMERICAN ART by Alexandra Jopp

Sergei Gerasimov: Kolkhoz Holiday (1937) By Alexandra A Jopp Art had an important role in Communist revolutionary activity in Europe between the wars through the method of “socialist realism,” in which the French Communist Party tried to “dictate form as well as content to those artists who were Party members.” (Lewis 61) The approach was formulated in 1932 by Stalinist apparatchiks in the Soviet Union and covered all spheres of artistic activity – literature, drama, cinema, painting, sculpture, music and architecture. Anthem of the People's Love . Stalin-era (1950-51). Painted by Oleksi Shovkunenko, Platon Biletsky, & Igor Reznik Helena Lewis affirms the main principles of socialist realism: “it was to be a historically truthful and concrete depiction of reality with a thematic emphasis on the coming of the revolution.” It was also important, according to the method, for artists to make their works consistent with the themes of socialist ideol...

Diego Rivera, Chester Dale , 1945, oil on canvas. Chester Dale Collection By Alexandra A Jopp Art has always been a commodity prized by the wealthy. An Old Master painting expresses many of the art world’s core beliefs regarding artistic brilliance, making it a valuable and treasured possession that signifies not only high financial status, but also – at least the owner hopes – cultural refinement and erudition. A privately assembled collection of French and American paintings on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., demonstrates the importance of wealthy individuals to the cultural life of a nation. “From Impressionism to Modernism: The Chester Dale Collection” is on view until July 31 on the Ground Floor of the Gallery’s West Building. In the words of one director, “ the whole rib structure of the modern French school [is] here .” [1] One of many pleasures of the exhibit is that what one finds is often unexpected: Beautifully-patterned odalisques by Renoi...