Women Artists and the Integration of Art in Everyday Life: The Impact of Decorative Textile Arts on the Development of Russian Avant-gardes

Abstract

This article addresses the role of women in Russian art during the 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on decorative arts and the relationship between applied arts and fine arts. Initially, it discusses the establishment of the first secondary schools for girls in Russia in 1858, which provided women with access to education, albeit with an emphasis on subjects deemed appropriate for their societal role, such as language, religion, and manual skills. The article also examines the restrictions faced by women in relation to higher education and the hierarchy between visual arts and decorative arts at the time. Women were often directed towards decorative arts, considered more suitable for their abilities and gender roles. However, some artists began to explore and blend traditional techniques with more modern styles, paving the way for design and the integration of art into everyday life. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of these professional women artists in the development of the Russian avant-garde and the introduction of avant-garde motifs into fabrics and embroideries, as well as emphasizing the role of these initiatives in the context of Russian nationalism and the revival of folk arts.