Painting national character

Abstract

This paper examines how nationalist sentiments are differently manifested in the works of Alphonse Mucha and Viktor Vasnetsov. In order to understand the nature of these sentiments, the biographies of the painters and the socio-political circumstances of their relative homelands are considered. Additionally three works from each painter are analyzed to establish how these nationalist sentiments are translated into the style and subject matter. Finally a comparison is drawn between the two painters.
The paper has established that Mucha grew up in Moravia, which had been struggling for independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This struggle motivated Mucha to create art that would legitimize Czech independence and would emphasize that the various Slav nations were not inferior to their German oppressors. His nationalist art therefore mainly focused on various scenes from Czech and broader Pan-Slavic history.
Vasnetsov lived in the Russian Empire, where progressives promoted Western liberalist policies as a possible solution to class inequality and poverty. Vasnetsov saw this Westernization as a threat to his heritage and therefore decided to preserve aspects of Russian culture that he deemed beautiful. He therefore painted in the folkloric and religious genre, since they symbolized an abstract strength and hope in a local solution of the problem.
Consequently the nationalist sentiments in Mucha’s work are intended to institute change in Czech society, while Vasnetsov’s nationalism is less politically involved, but aims to provide comfort in times of despair.