Northern Landscapes by Andrey Yakovlev in the Context of Late 20th-Century Artistic Culture

Abstract

The article examines the early stage of the artistic development of Andrey Yakovlev (1934–2012) in the context of the “Severe Style,” the neo-realist tendencies of postwar Soviet art, and the tradition of the northern seascape. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing interest in the history of the visual exploration of the Russian North in the second half of the 20th century. The article analyzes the figurative and stylistic features of Yakovlev’s northern landscapes, with particular attention given to the pictorial series “Spitsbergen” and to the works created during his expeditions to the Far North, which became an important element in shaping the visual image of the Arctic. Drawing on an analysis of Yakovlev’s paintings and his literary legacy, the study reveals the specific characteristics of his plein-air method, as well as the nature of his spatial, compositional, and coloristic solutions. These features challenge the stereotype of the “monochrome, cold North” through the richness of warm reflections and the decorative qualities of colour. The article demonstrates that, building on the legacy of A. Borisov and other masters of the northern theme, Yakovlev develops a lyrical version of the “Severe Style,” bringing together the documentary quality of the industrially developed Soviet Arctic with the motif of the timelessness of northern nature, thus inscribing his work into the continuous artistic process of the second half of the 20th century. The conclusions clarify our understanding of the evolution of the artist’s early period and outline directions for further research into his legacy.

Keywords

northern landscape; painter A. Yakovlev; Severe Style in art; the Russian North;

References

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НАУЧНЫЕ ТРУДЫ
Санкт-Петербургской
академии художеств

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Проблемы развития отечественного искусства

When citing an article, use a bibliographic reference:
Northern Landscapes by Andrey Yakovlev in the Context of Late 20th-Century Artistic Culture // Научные труды Санкт-Петербургской академии художеств. Вып. 76. Проблемы развития отечественного искусства. 2026 / Науч. ред. Леняшин В.А., сост. Шаманькова А. И., Кутейникова Н.С.. СПб. : СПб. акад. художеств, 2026. 292 с. C. . https://doi.org/10.62625/2782-1889.2026.76.76.008

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