Art Conventions of the Late Imperial and Early Soviet Russia: Changes in the Policy of Perception (based on Periodical)

The present survey is based on articles in art illustrated periodicals of the second half of 19th - early 20th centuries. It investigates the policy of demonstration and vision, studies changes in principles of estimation of works of art. Two leading art periodicals were chosen for current research: "Vsemirnaya Illustraсiya" and "Apollon". They published engravings, descriptions of exhibitions, articles about artists' work and reviews of their products. The investigation relies on methods, which were cultivated in art history and literature studies for observation of history of canons. The canon is seen as the system of various conventions. The conducted survey convicted, that the most important changes concerned the following subjects of works of art: social importance of the theme, artists' personality as a criterion of evaluation of his works, documentary accuracy of details' transmission, aesthetic value of Russian historical characters and images. The analysis of historical sources permitted to make a conclusion about didactic purpose of illustrated art periodicals, which accustomed readers to appreciate painting (in contrast to beauty) of the surrounding reality, to recognize typical traits of appearance and inward life, to see the connection with mythological past.