Polychromy in Modern Russian Sculpture

This publication analyzes the possibilities of using polychromy in the creative practice of Russian sculptors. The emphasis is on highlighting the main criteria for the use of color. Hermeneutical and analytical approaches are used in combination with induction and comparison. In general, formal stylistic analysis prevails in the research methodology. The novelty of the study is due to the low level of study of the work of Russian sculptors and the weak elaboration of the problem of polychromy in the theory of sculpture as a whole. Having briefly demonstrated the experience of using polychromy in sculpture throughout the history of the development of world cultures, the authors, based on the analysis of modern sculptural compositions, draw conclusions about the relevance and diversity of the use of polychromy in domestic sculpture of the twenty-first century. Two functions of using color in sculpture are highlighted, namely: imitation/animation and symbolic/sacred. The characteristics of these functions are considered on the basis of concrete examples, in conclusion, the prospects for the development of polychromy as one of the most expressive compositional techniques of plastics are evaluated