Russian scientific-animalistic images of the 20th century in the collection of biological museums. Their specific structure and meaning

Abstract

The article dwells on scientific animalistic images of the XX century, which are stored in natural science museums of the country representing the special art of animal paintings. They are featured in the "scientific illustration"  category with an emphasis on objectivity, accuracy of fixation of each form, what didn't exclude the spotting of the characteristic and the main thing in scientific works. Due to the fruitful interaction of animal painters with biologists, their common understanding of the goals of art, scientific illustration has acquired the quality of an artistic image, not ceasing to meet scientific interests. It is noted that from the sphere of strict protocol drawing of previous centuries ("cabinet of curiosities drawing" of the XVIII century), it has turned into a work of art with a set of its specific features.  Among these features, a special visualization of the image is underlined, with its typical typification of forms and elaboration of details. The article analyzes the works of famous animal painters of the XX century by the example of exhibits of the State Darwin Museum in Moscow, representing a special visual and graphic version of scientific and artistic works. The concept of animalistic image in various types of art is considered: in graphics, in painting and sculpture. In each of these types, which have their expressive properties, the artists V. Vatagin, A. Komarov, V. Trofimov, and others managed to realize scientific ideas within the framework of their artistic way of thinking, specific scientific themes in artistic images. The uniqueness of this kind of art consisted of both scientific, cognitive and aesthetic features.