BELLAYA GLINA 1974

Oil on Canvas

Ivan was born in Bellya Glina Russia in 1918. This rural Russian area was home to many peasant families. After the fall of the Russian monarchy and the rise of Stalin, areas like this became even more remote and wild. People struggled by raising crops in their yards, went to work in Communist factories or communes and poverty was all around.

THIS PAINTING IS HIGHLY INFLUENCED BY A FAMOUS BRITISH ARTIST OF THE 19TH CENTURY LAURENCE S. LOWRY 1887-1976 WHO PAINTED BRITISH INDUSTRIAL TOWNS AND CITIES. HE WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS CHILDLIKE DEPICTION OF RURAL ENGLAND AND HIS FAMOUS CHARACTERS WERE KNOWN AS “MATCHSTICK MEN”. THIS STYLE WAS SIMPLIFIED ART WHERE THE SIMPLICITY EMPHASIZED THE OVERALL STARKNESS OF THE SCENE.

The painting has the Artist’s handwritten note on the back in Old Russian explaining that this was his home village and the simple life of the people there.

Despite what you may think, painting a scene in this style is more difficult than the more detailed and photo accurate other works on display. Only a versatile and well trained artist could switch styles like this with confidence.

Viewing the piece.

We are drawn into this work by the horse and cart on the left side. We see a peasant man working in his yard growing crops for food. A mother and son stroll up an empty and lonely street towards other people making their way to the city beyond.

The tracks on the road tell us of farm vehicles drawing crops and food from the farms towards the city and tells us of the hardship of these people.

The simplicity of the art mirrors the simplicity of the people but in the distance, we see more detail and complexity of the city buildings.

Gray skies, grey building and grey lives give a sense of sadness to the viewer.