What is Socialist Realism?
Socialist realism is a kind of realistic art. This type of art emerged under socialism in the Soviet Union, and thereafter spread to other communist countries.
The works of Dmitri Shostakovich and Diego Rivera are great examples of Socialist realism. They showed their art in different ways, Shostakovich through music, and Rivera through paintings and drawings. Learn more about them below! |
This art realistically shows subjects of social concern, however it glorifies the poor. This is shown through paintings, drawings, sculptures. music E.t.c.
Look through the slideshow below to see a few examples of artwork that may give you a better understanding of what socialist realism is. |
Click the Button below to see a few more examples of Socialist Realism artwork!
The Socialist Realism movement depicts both social and racial unfair mistreatment, and economic hardships through pictures and music that show or help describe these struggles.
Dmitri Shostakovich
"The only musical art deemed worthy of the working classes, and thus the only music demanded by the Soviet state, was to be defined by it's accessibility, tunefulness, stylistic traditionalism and folk-inspired qualities."
- Laurel E. Fay
Socialist Realism was depicted through music as well! Below is a video where you can listen to Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, before learning a little more about who he was.
The soviet Union had placed a doctrine of Socialist Realism. Stalin was in power at this time. Music could not be noisy and dissonant.
Artists who did not comply withe Doctrine of Socialist Realism..."disappeared from society."
So yes, they were basically killed because they did not comply to the rules given by the government.
Artists who did not comply withe Doctrine of Socialist Realism..."disappeared from society."
So yes, they were basically killed because they did not comply to the rules given by the government.
Stalin came to watch Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsenk District." He did not stay for the foruth act, and later that week he described the production as noisy and messy. He also said that things might end badly if Shostakovich continued to break the artictic requirments given by the govenment.
This made Shostakovich go over his productions and be more careful with what he was putting out, in fear for his life.
This made Shostakovich go over his productions and be more careful with what he was putting out, in fear for his life.
Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera's mural's were quite influential in the U.S. Especially by artists who lived in cities where his Socialist Realism artwork could be viewed without safety concerns. For example: New York, San francisco and Detroit.
Rivera helped people see the genius behind engineering and he depicted the working class as heroes!
He worked the religion and race of the working class into his murals.
He worked the religion and race of the working class into his murals.
Author: Michelle Kariuki
School: Pilgrim School
Class: Global Studies
Date Last edited: 21/4/2014
School: Pilgrim School
Class: Global Studies
Date Last edited: 21/4/2014