Rafael Israelyan and the Victory Monument: Negotiating Christian-Armenian Iconography in Stalinist Architecture

Authors

Ryan Browning, Brigham Young University
Dr. Cynthia Finlayson, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Rafael Israelyan, victory monument, Christian-Armenian iconography, stalinist architecture

College

Fine Arts and Communications

Department

Art

Abstract

Stalin’s terror regime over the Soviet Union created a tense environment for artists and architects. He oversaw the birth of a new artistic movement called Socialist Realism, which sought to portray the progress and beauty of socialist life. In most corners of the Soviet Union, the Socialist Realism style and ethic was enforced with a heavy hand by government watchdogs. Artists who attempted individualism in their work or who refused to follow the iconological status quo of the new movement came under the condemnation of the state, and were often removed from society in the times of the great purge. However, the reach of the Kremlin seemed to have less effect over the arts in Armenia.

Recommended Citation

Browning, Ryan and Finlayson, Dr. Cynthia (2013) "Rafael Israelyan and the Victory Monument: Negotiating Christian-Armenian Iconography in Stalinist Architecture," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2084.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2084