San Diego Museum of Art explores ‘American Artists from the Russian Empire’

"Girl in a Purple Dress" by Nicolai Fechin. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Museum of Art)

Whether you enjoy the sensuous curves of a sculpture or a colorful stroke in a painting, it’s easy to find the visual cues that attract us to a work of art. But delve deeper, and art can do so much more than merely appeal to our aesthetic sensibilities. It can teach us about the history, culture, and values that existed in its time.

Take, for example, the San Diego Museum of Art’s current exhibit, “American Artists from the Russian Empire,” which focuses on works created by Russian-born artists who emigrated to the United States before the end of the 1930s. The collection, on view through January 17, not only showcases the various talents unique to that period, but also paints a collective portrait of the cross-cultural journeys that characterized the Russian émigré experience.

Works by renowned artists such as Mark Rothko, Jules Olitsky and Alexander Liberman make appearances, alongside fellow American artists from Russia who established and nurtured their careers here. They may have arrived for different reasons — from war and  revolution to economic hardship — but their impact in this country proves everlasting.

One such artist who contributed countless sculptures to the American landscape is noted artist Louise Nevelson, who moved with her family to Rockland, Maine in 1905. Known for her monochromatic sculptures made out of wood and miscellaneous found items, her impact on the American art scene was even recognized by the U.S. Post Office with a series of commemorative stamps that were released in 2000. While her piece on display, “Classic Column,” gives a nice taste of her signature style, visitors wanting more can attend a Nevelson-inspired workshop hosted by the museum on November 14.

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This influence between artist and environment can work both ways, as seen in the creations by Nicolai Fechin, who was already an acclaimed painter before arriving in the U.S. A side-by-side comparison of his paintings provides an interesting before-and-after effect of his relocation.

A whole new color palette emerges in the works he painted after moving to Taos, New Mexico, where he was introduced to and inspired by local Native American culture. While browns and neutral colors dominate the portrait he painted in 1908 while still in Russia, the vibrant colors of the Hopi and Zuni dress really pop out in his Taos-era paintings, such as “Girl in a Purple Dress.”

French-trained artist and former army pilot Leon Gaspard was another Taos transplant, who moved there to recover from a plane crash that left him in critical condition during World War I. His works on display, a portrait of King Solomon and a scene in a Russian village, reveal the continued importance of his heritage even after settling in the U.S.

In addition to offering a comparative look at the artists’ backgrounds, the exhibit also highlights the different artistic movements that dominated their work.

Born Ivan Gratianovitch Dombrowski, John Graham was a Tsarist cavalry officer-turned-artist who officially changed his name when he became an American citizen in 1927. His minimalist paintings, such as “Reclining Soldier,” which were inspired by his experience in the military, almost have a child-like simplicity to them with bold lines and modest detail. Jackson Pollock and Arshile Gorky (also featured in the exhibit) are among the artists he was known to have influenced.

In contrast, the works by surrealist painter Pavel Tchelitchew depict the inner human form in meticulous anatomical detail. A web of veins covers a skeletal form in “Anatomical Painting,” which explores the transcendental intersection between humans and nature.

With a fair sampling of different artistic tastes and styles, “American Artists” is part art examination, part history lesson - and sure to satisfy those looking for both visual and intellectual stimulation.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum will host a free panel discussion on November 14 addressing the cultural themes explored in the collection, followed by the $5 Nevelson-inspired workshop afterward. On November 15, families are invited to participate in an exhibit-specific program designed for children ages 6-12 on Family Drop-in Day.

Asami Novak is an SDNN contributor.

Event Info

What: “American Artists from the Russian Empire”

Where: San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego

When: Through January 17, 2010. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday

How much: $12 for adults; $9 seniors (65+) and military; $8 students with ID, $4.50 Youth (6-17)

Contact: (619) 232-7931; www.sdmart.org

Tags: American Artists from the Russian Empire, art exhibition, art exhibits San Diego, Asami Novak, Balboa Park, Balboa Park museums, Family Drop-In Day, Louise Nevelson, Mark Rothko, San Diego Museum of Art, SDNN, Taos

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