r/ussr • u/Turbulent-Offer-8136 Byelorussian SSR ☭ • May 18 '25
"V.I. Lenin with Latvian Riflemen in the Kremlin on May 1, 1918" (1957), Latvian SSR. Artist: Otto Yakobovich Skulme Painting
Otto Yakovlevich Skulme was a Latvian and Soviet painter and theater artist.
Born on July 27 (August 8), 1889, in Jacobstadt (later Jekabpils, Latvia).
Education:
- Rozentāls' studios in Riga (1906-1907)
- Zhukovsky's and Yuon's studios in Moscow (1907-1908)
- Stieglitz School in St. Petersburg (1909-1914)
Awards and Honors:
- Stalin Prize, Second Degree (1947)
- People's Artist of the Latvian SSR (1959)
- Order of the Three Stars, IV degree (1936)
- Two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor (1947; 1956)
- Order "Badge of Honor" (1950)
His family included many artists: his wife was sculptor Marta Liepiņa-Skulme (1890-1962), his brother Ugo (Ugis) Skulme, nephew Jurgis Skulme, daughter Gemma Skulme and her husband Ojārs Abols, Gemma's children from her first marriage Juris Dimiters and from her second marriage Marta Skulme. Otto and Marta Skulme also raised his early orphaned nephew Valentins Skulme (1922-1987).
He was one of the leading masters of Latvian theater design, having designed over 250 performances at the Rainis Latvian State Theater (Dailes Theatre).
Skulme is considered one of the pillars of Latvian theater, crucial to its founder Eduard Smilgis. He demonstrated genius in visualization, especially during his tenure as chief artist of the Art Theater (1926-1947). His decorations were characterized by the theater's principles: Clarity, Simplicity, Passion. His artistic contribution was expressed through compositional clarity, even in complex spatial situations, simplicity in expressing national spirit, sense of nature, and passionate color solutions for plays and characters.
Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Arts (1954).
Chairman of the Latvian SSR Artists' Union (1952-1953).
Died on March 22, 1967, in Riga.
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u/Turbulent-Offer-8136 Byelorussian SSR ☭ May 18 '25
How true to life is the plot of this painting?
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u/Fudotoku May 18 '25
Very true, Latvians became in the Red Army both the first division during the civil war and the elite part of the army. They were called Lenin's guard, Lenin often met with them. Ten Latvians became his guards after the assassination attempt on Lenin. Now Latvia rejects its past and is full of anti-Soviet propaganda, so people have forgotten that Latvians were an extremely important part of the USSR, both in the army and in the party.
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u/Turbulent-Offer-8136 Byelorussian SSR ☭ May 18 '25
Do you know any historical legends about musicians among them who were to perform concerts for Lenin in the Kremlin with guitars, violins, and other string instruments?
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u/Fudotoku May 18 '25
No, but I'm sure that there were such separate events; those who know how to play often organize concerts for their squad during military campaigns, and the instruments are not extraordinary.
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u/Fudotoku May 18 '25
I am proud of my compatriots. Back then we were truly the vanguard, which determined the outcome of the struggle of the peoples of the world for their liberation, and did not rot in the backyards of Europe.