Soviet propaganda porcelain: ideology vs art

Abstract

The object of research of this article is Soviet propaganda porcelain, produced at the very beginning of the formation of Soviet Russia. The paper considers the beginning of the formation of a new porcelain production after the October Revolution of 1917, which took part in the framework of the Soviet monumental propaganda plan. This plan was developed by the leader of the revolution V.I. Lenin. The transformation of artistic techniques and images used on products made of “white gold” was also analyzed. The image on plates, vases, cups of communist slogans, symbols and portraits of revolutionary persons marked the beginning of the creation of such a unique phenomenon as propaganda porcelain, which was supposed to educate Soviet citizens in the context of party policy. The best Russian artists and sculptors of the frst quarter of the 20th century worked on its creation. Therefore, the propaganda porcelain turned out to be highly artistic, which was the reason for its success at the international exhibitions and popularity among foreign collectors. However, this fact, combined with the complexity of production, has formed a high cost of products. This did not allow plates and cups with party calls and portraits of the leaders of the proletariat to penetrate into the wider population and conduct ideological propaganda in the everyday life. At the same time, through the products exhibited abroad, a demonstration of Soviet attributes and culture in general was made, which positively influenced the recognition of the new Russia abroad as an objective reality.