Linocuts of Vitaly Lenchin: pages of history of the Kharkov school graphic of the twentieth century

Abstract

The article considers the activities of the famous Kharkov artist and teacher Vitaly Lenchin (born 1940) in the field of print graphics. The life and career of the master has not previously been the subject of a comprehensive scientific analysis and is not dealt with in professional journals. At the same time the visual heritage of Lenchin marked by brilliant originality of creative handwriting is bright and significant phenomenon in the history of the Kharkov art school in the twentieth century. During the study the attention is focused on linocuts the author as the technique of engraving on linoleum occupies an exclusive position in the printed graphic arts of the master. The most famous considerable works fully present individuality of the artist are executed in the specified material. A common characteristic feature of all Lenchin’s prints is identified as increased attention to the plastic solution of compositions, expressive rhythmic structure of sheets based on the author’s vision of formation. Theoretical works of the artist in the field of reproduction of space forms which became the basis of his pedagogical activity are embodied in art practice when creating a series of linocuts "1917" (1967) and "Revolution" (1970). Graphic works of the artist are considered as the vivid examples of original approach to the solution of the traditional Soviet art subjects by alternative artistic means. It is considered important that the ideological plot coloring of works didn’t prevent modern research. Plastic expressiveness of sheets recognized by spectators and professionals has determined their special place among the many samples of print graphics during its flowering period 1960 – 1970s. Dissimilarity of Lenchin’s linocuts are the typical examples of graphic design of the Soviet period, the veal uniqueness of the author's manners have attracted the attention and had considerable international resonance. Engravings from the series "1917" were represented by the USSR at the Fifth international Biennale of young artists in Paris, a sheet "Aurora" was reproduced in the exhibition catalog. The same 1967 these works were included in the exposition "Іntergraphic-67" in Berlin which was a real world forum of graphic art presenting works of nearly 400 artists from 39 countries of Europe, Asia and America. In future sheets from a series "1917" were exhibited at the II international Biennale of graphic arts in Krakow where the author was awarded the medal in the category of the Grand Prix and elected an honorary member of the international "Club of Biennale winners". After a sensational start comes a prolonged break in print graphics activities of Lenchin connected with the active pedagogical work. To engraving on linoleum artist returned in the early 1980s as a participant in the Workshop folk prints in Moscow. Lenchin created fourteen linocuts illuminated by watercolors, their topic was fileting against alcoholism. All sheets are sustained in the stylistic traditions of the national popular prints declaring the continuity of these works to ancient samples. Prints of the artist from the series "World against drunkenness" are in the permanent exhibition of the Moscow State Museum of folk prints, in the funds of the Chuvash state Art Museum and as a part of a traveling exhibition, they have been exhibited in sixty cities of the USSR and of the twenty countries of the world. Thus print graphic art creativity of Lenchin is bright and significant phenomenon in the history of the Kharkov art school. Studying of Lenchin’s print graphics together with the studying of the foundations of his pedagogical concepts form the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of the master’s creative personality. Artistic and imaginative alternative of Lenchin’s engravings of the period of socialist realities, their outstanding formally-practical embodiment allow to determine the domain of the artist as an important contribution to the development of Kharkov linocuts of the Soviet period.