Kunstpolitik versus Kunst

This book, similar to a monograph, details the monumental sculptures of Vera Muchina, one of the most prominent female sculptors under Stalin. Muchina’s career as a professional sculptor began with the October Revolution in 1917, after she had learned her art in Moscow and Paris. Until – the year Muchina and Stalin died – all art was commissioned by the state. However, Muchina always aimed to circumvent stereotypical and moribund official aesthetics and to realise her own individual concept of art. In this book, the multi-facetted and tense relationship between this artist and the state is shown through descriptions of the creative process of her works, using specific examples. The book also looks at her position within the discussion of art of the period and subtly imparts personal comments made by the sculptor. This is not only an individual biography, but also a documentation of contemporary history.