Studies of Art of the Russian North at the State Russian Museum (1940—1970)

The article reflects the actions of the central bodies of the country, overseeing the art activities in the area of study, preservation, conservation, restoration and promotion of Russian medieval art in the 1940s—1970s as an indicative system of a comprehensive integration approach.

The relevance of the work is to activate information on the formation of the rhetoric of the scientific community of the 1960s on the problem of studying monuments of Karelia and the Russian North, unknown until the specified time or registered, but did not have the status of a protected monument. By the exhibition “The results of the expeditions of the museums of the RSFSR on identification and collecting works of the Old Russian art” (1966), the consolidation of museum forces and capabilities of the governing bodies for the study of works of art in the complex of restoration, protection, scientific, educational potential increased.

The purpose of the article is to show the result of joint efforts of representatives of the RSFSR cultural departments and members of the museum community in the study, preservation, replenishment and presentation to the public of a number of materials of the culture of the Russian North. The author considers the coordinated actions that led to a landmark event — the reveal of a gap in the national art studies and its filling by means of expeditions, conservation of art monuments on the ground, restoration work in workshops in Moscow and Leningrad, exhibition activities, scientific discussions, participation in conferences and congresses, publication activity.

The events successfully implemented in the designated thematic plan — the study of the culture of the Russian North, determined the vector of development of the study of the art of icon painting of Novgorod and Moscow lands in the 1970s and 1980s. The author notes, that in the subsequent period, such large-scale and fruitful events were not held. The close-knit work of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, several departments of the State Russian Museum, and other museums of our country lasted throughout the period of 1940s — 1970s. Thus, this example can be regarded as the only indicator of a large-scale project in the history of Russian art, including scientific research, expeditions, restoration, educational activities and conferences.

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