Culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century (briefly)

The culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century is a significant stage in the development of the spiritual and moral values of Russian society. It's amazing how large the creative process took, the depth of its content and the richness of its forms. Over half a century the cultural community has risen to a new level: multi-faceted, polyphonic, unique.

Preconditions for the birth and cultural development of the "golden age"

The development of Russian culture in the first half of the 19th century was due to a high degree of national interests. Humanitarian education, begun under Catherine II, gave impetus to the development of education, the opening of a variety of educational institutions and the expansion of the opportunities for obtaining new knowledge.

The borders of the state were divided, on the territory of which about 165 different peoples lived with their customs and mentality. The traditions of their predecessors were continued by new navigators and pioneers.

The Russian-French war of 1812 influenced the formation of patriotic thought, moral and moral values of the Russian people. The artistic culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century attracted the interest of the national self-consciousness that had become established in the society.

However, the existing political situation within the country did not give full freedom for the realization of all ideas in art. The uprising of the Decembrists and the activities of secret societies forced the Russian emperors to prevent the penetration of advanced ideas into any cultural spheres.

The science

The improvement of public education was reflected in the culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century. Briefly it can be called dual. On the one hand, new educational institutions were opened, on the other, strict censorship measures were introduced, for example, the lessons of philosophy were abolished. In addition, universities and gymnasiums were constantly under strict supervision of the Ministry of Education.

Despite this, Russian culture in the first half of the 19th century is characterized by a big jerk in the development of science.

Biology and Medicine

Accumulated by the beginning of the 19th century, material about the animal and plant world required the rethinking and development of new theories. This involved the Russian naturalists KM. Baer, I.A. Dvigubsky, I.E. Dyadkovsky.

The richest collections of plants and animals from different parts of the world were collected. And in 1812 the Botanical Garden was opened in the Crimea.

NI Ivanov made a significant contribution to the development of medicine. Pies. Thanks to his selfless labor, the world learned what military field surgery is.

Geology and Astronomy

With the beginning of the century, geology awaited its time. Its development embraced all the Russian lands.

An important achievement was the compilation of the first geological map of Russia in 1840. Did this scientist-researcher NI. Koksharov.

Astronomy required careful and scrupulous calculations and observations. It took a long time. The process was greatly facilitated when in 1839 the Pulkovo Observatory was established.

Mathematics and physics

In mathematics, world-wide discoveries were made. So, N.I. Lobachevsky became famous for his "non-Euclidean geometry." P.L. Chebyshev justified the law of large numbers, and M.V. Ostrogradsky was engaged in analytical and celestial mechanics.

The first half of the 19th century can be called a golden time for physics, because the first electromagnetic telegraph (PL Schilling) was created, the result of the electric illumination experiment (VV Petrov) was invented, and the electric motor (EH Lenz) was invented.

Architecture

The artistic culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century attracted considerable interest of the society. The most important feature of its development was the rapid change of styles, as well as their combination.

In architecture until the 1840s reigned classicism. The Empire style can be found in many buildings of two capitals, as well as many regional centers that used to be provincial cities.

For this time, the construction of architectural ensembles is characteristic. For example, the Theater Square Moscow or the Senate in St. Petersburg.

Vivid representatives of this style gave birth to the culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century. Architecture was expressed in the works of A.D. Zakharova, K.I. Rossi, D.I. Gilyardi, O.I. Beauvais.

Empire has replaced the Russian-Byzantine style, in which the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was built, the Armory Chamber (architect KA Ton).

Painting

For this period, painting is characterized by interest in the personality of an ordinary person. Artists move away from traditional biblical and mythological styles.

Classicism in painting was represented by Karl Bryullov, who in his paintings showed heroism, dignity and greatness of the common man. His most famous works are The Last Day of Pompeii, The Horsewoman, The Self-Portrait, etc.

A tragic fate befell the great painter AA Ivanov, the author of the grandiose work "The Appearance of Christ to the People." Over it, he worked more than 20 years. And he died, and did not know what a brilliant triumph this picture had.

The basis of realism put PA Fedotov, who with his genre paintings with social content made a furor in society. Everyone knew his "Fresh Chevalier" or "Matchmaking Major".

Sculpture

The culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century developed under the influence of the last war of 1812 with Napoleon. It touched the sculpture. The famous monument to Minin and Pozharsky, which stands on the Red Square, the artist I.P. Martos sculpted in the midst of war.

The development of Russian monumental sculpture would have been impossible without F.F. Shchedrin, whose caryatids adorn the buildings of the Admiralty.

Among other outstanding sculptors of that time were I.I. Terebenev (Poltava Battle), V.I. Demut-Malinovsky, B.I. Orlovsky (the figure of an angel on the Alexander Column), etc.

Music

The culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century experienced a huge influence of the heroic past. Music has been influenced by folk melodies, as well as national themes. These currents reflect the opera "Ivan Susanin" K.A. Kavos, works of A.A. Alyabyeva, A.E. Varlamov.

M.I. Glinka occupied a central place among composers. He adopted new traditions and discovered unprecedented genres. Opera "Life for the Tsar" fully reflects the essence of the entire musician's work.

Russian culture in the first half of the 19th century gave birth to another brilliant composer who introduced the genre of psychological drama into music. This is A.S. Dargomyzhsky and his great opera "Mermaid".

Theater

The Russian theater opened up the imagination, practically abandoning the ceremonial performances in the style of classicism. Now there were predominantly romantic motifs, tragedy of the plays.

One of the most famous representatives of the theatrical milieu was PS. Mochalov, who played the roles of Hamlet and Ferdinand (Shakespeare).

Reformer of Russian acting art Shchepkin was a native of serfs. He gave absolutely new ideas, thanks to which his roles were admired, and the Small Moscow Theater became the most popular place among the spectators.

The realistic style in the theater was generated by the works of A.S. Pushkin, A.S. Griboyedov.

Literature

The most important social problems reflected the culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century. Literature strengthened the national identity, referring to the historical past of the country. An example of this is the creative activity of NM. Karamzin.

Romanticism in the literature was represented by such outstanding figures as VA. Zhukovsky, A.I. Odoevsky, early AS Pushkin. The late stage of Pushkin's work is realism. "Boris Godunov", "The Captain's Daughter", "The Bronze Horseman" are inscribed in this direction. In addition, M.Yu. Lermontov created the "Hero of Our Time", which is an outstanding example of the literature of realism.

Critical realism became the basis of N.V. Gogol ("The Overcoat", "The Inspector General").

Among other representatives of literature that influenced its development, one can name A.N. Ostrovsky with his unusually realistic plays, I.S. Turgenev, who paid his attention to the theme of the serf village and nature, and also D.V. Grigorovich.

Literature has made a significant contribution to the cultural development of Russia. The first half of the 19th century was characterized by the emergence of a modern literary language in place of the heavy and florid language of the 18th century. Creativity of writers and poets of this period became significant and influenced the further formation of not only Russian, but also world culture.

Embracing and reinterpreting the works of Russian and European civilizations, the culture of Russia in the first half of the 19th century created a strong foundation for the favorable development of science and art in the future.