Soviet Impressionist Painting

The revised edition of "Soviet Impressionism," including fresh information as well as 140 additional colour plates.

This book is a completely revised and updated edition of "Soviet Impressionism," published in 2001 and quickly sold out. Vern Swanson has included a mass of new information as well as 140 additional colour plates. Soviet Art of the 1930s to the 1980s is now considered the twenieth century's major realist school of painting, although much of it had remained hidden during its heyday due to the politics of the Cold War. Now percipient and adventurous art historians are turning the balance and addressing the presence of Soviet Impressionist paintings. This is a vibrant and powerful school of art. Beautiful colour illustrations throughout and a highly perceptive text make this a reference book no art lover or historian would wish to be without.

The subject matter of these vibrant paintings is the intimate life of the Soviet man, woman and child: at work in field, factory, school and mine, and at home or at play. The policy-makers dictated the message: art should be readily understood and appreciated by the people, reflecting their hopes and aspirations for themselves and their efforts.

Together, the stunning illustrations and highly perceptive, fully up-to-date text serve to make Soviet Impressionist Painting a true testament to this powerful and vibrant school of art.

Vern G. Swanson, Ph. D. is the author of numerous books, catalogues and articles on Soviet painting, 19th century European classicist artists and American realist art. Swanson is the director of the Springville Museum of Art in Utah, USA, and is a graduate of the Brigham Young University and the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London.