Khrenov, N. A. Russian Art at the Turn of the 20th Century and Its Role in the Cultural Synthesis of the West and the East

Abstract: This article focuses on a transitional period in the history of Russian art, namely on the turn of the 20th century. An intensive interaction between different cultures – Russian, Western and Eastern - was taking place during this very period. The phenomenon of the cultural synthesis is a subject of our particular analysis. Special attention is given to assimilation of Eastern cultural values as part of the synthesis which characterizes not just the Russian but the Western culture as well. At the same time in some cases such assimilation in Russian culture shows its seamy side - the anti-Western sentiment. An increasing interest in Eastern values at the turn of the 20th century in Russia we demonstrate through the analysis of the works of L. Tolstoy, V. Solovyov, A. Bely, A. Blok, N. Roerich, V. Khlebnikov, A. Dobroliubov, K. Balmont, B. Livshits, and others. A special page of this history covers the reflection of the “Eurasians” (historians, philosophers, publicists) – G.Vernadsky, L.Karsavin, N. Karsavin, among others. Their writings had formulated the idea which had been reverberating in art in a subconscious form. Later, closer to modern times, its development will be continued by L.Gumilev.

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