A Personal History of the Civil War in Alexander Valevsky’s Drawings

The analysis of graphic works by the amateur artist A. N. Valevsky (1896–1938) from collection Ulyanovsk Regional Art Museum makes it possible to get a subjective view events Civil War in Russia. An officer Kolchak’s army and later commander Red Army, his drawings, recorded not only everyday realities era but also own experiences feelings. famous Soviet painters 1920s‑1930s (M. B. Grekov, Deineka, K. S. Petrov-Vodkin, V. Johanson, etc.) avoided any personal interpretation independent assessments revolutionary cataclysms their epic paintings dedicated War. Such thing is rare White émigré artists. On other hand, artists, for whom documentation happening around internal was vital need, more often allowed themselves interpret history “Russian troubles”. created drawings between 1921 1925, after artist’s return peaceful life and, thus, they can be perceived as memories what he had experienced. manner diverse; combine grotesque techniques with an attempt capture reality, tragic episodes go hand romantic comical. In many compositions, author includes examples urban military folklore, lines poems, romances, ditties popular among ordinary people. This technique gives plots both “spirit times” metaphoricism important work art – meaningfulness images. According article, examination material feeling autobiographical nature entire cycle.