Aesthetic Debates in “The World of Art” in the Early 20th Century: Focusing on the Debate between Diaghilev and Repin

Abstract

From the end of the 19th century to the 20th century, Russia experienced a period of caution. Russian culture of the 1890s and 1900s reflects the complexity and contradictions of an era filled with acute social conflict and political struggle. These conflicts and struggles gave new character and characteristics to the perception of society and art. However, the social and cultural life of the late 19th century contrasted markedly with previous periods in the spiritual sphere. During this period, there was a psychological tension quite different from that of the 1880s, and an expectation of a “great revolution.” This concept of “vigilance” and “transition” experienced by Russia spread among the intelligentsia in the field of art. In the early 20th century, Russia experienced a “Russian Renaissance.” Russia experienced a heyday of poetry and philosophy, and trends of intense religious inquiry and mysticism dominated the period. In literature, the sense of justice and simplicity of 19th century Russian literature has disappeared. The world view of left-wing intelligentsia was shaken. Aesthetic consciousness changed and art began to be given greater meaning. The “art world” reflects the “new art” and aesthetics of this period. Their biggest task was to liberate spiritual culture from social utilitarianism. For them, the previously suppressed aesthetic element was a stronger force than the ethical element. However, changing the world view and setting a new direction was not easy. In the field of art, controversy with the existing utilitarian and populist intelligentsia was an inevitable process. This debate became a space for “art world” groups to declare their programs and aesthetics. This paper seeks to examine the aesthetics of the “world of art” through the debates between Diaghilev and Stasov and Diaghilev and Repin, which were the most representative debates of the “world of art.”