Pavel Filonov

Portrait of E. N. Glebova (the artist's sister), 1915, oil on canvas. 117x152.5 cm

Self portrait, 1921

Pavel Filonov (1883–1941) was a Russian avant-garde painter, art theorist, and poet, known for his unique approach to art, which he called "Analytical Art". Filonov was born in Moscow but spent most of his artistic career in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg). He was a contemporary of other Russian avant-garde artists such as Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky, and Marc Chagall, but he developed a distinct style and philosophy that set him apart from his peers.

Biography

Pavel Nikolaevich Filonov was born on January 8, 1883, in Moscow, Russia. Coming from a poor family, Filonov had to work from an early age, which delayed his formal education in art. Despite these challenges, he was determined to pursue his passion for art and eventually enrolled in the Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts in 1908. Filonov was deeply influenced by the social and political upheavals of his time, including the Russian Revolution of 1917, which shaped his approach to art and his ideological beliefs.

Throughout his career, Filonov remained committed to the idea of "Made Painting" (Russian: Сделанная живопись), a concept that emphasized meticulous attention to detail and the analytical dissection of objects and figures in his paintings. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced abstraction, Filonov sought to explore the inner workings of the visible world, aiming to reveal its underlying structures and forces.

Artistic Career

Filonov's artistic career can be divided into several phases, each marked by the development of his theoretical ideas and artistic techniques. In the early 1910s, he began to formulate his principles of Analytical Art, which he further developed and refined throughout his life. His works from this period are characterized by complex, densely packed compositions, with an emphasis on line and form.

During the 1920s, Filonov's work received some recognition, and he was able to exhibit his art in Russia. However, his refusal to conform to the emerging state-sanctioned art style of Socialist Realism led to increasing isolation. By the 1930s, Filonov's art was banned from public exhibition, and he was largely forgotten by the Soviet art establishment.

Despite these challenges, Filonov continued to work prolifically, producing a vast body of paintings, graphic works, and theoretical writings. His commitment to teaching was also a significant aspect of his career, and he mentored a group of students known as the "Masters of Analytical Art".

Legacy

Pavel Filonov died of starvation during the siege of Leningrad in 1941, his work largely unrecognized in his lifetime. However, interest in his art and theories has grown significantly since the late 20th century. Today, Filonov is regarded as one of the key figures of the Russian avant-garde, and his works are held in major museums and collections worldwide.

His legacy is preserved through the efforts of the Pavel Filonov Foundation and various exhibitions that have showcased his contributions to modern art. Filonov's analytical approach to painting and his dedication to exploring the inner dynamics of the visible world continue to influence artists and scholars.

See Also

• Russian Avant-Garde
• Analytical Art
• Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts