Mikhail Mikhailovich Adamovich
Encyclopedia
Mikhail Mikhailovich Adamovich (1884–1947) was a Russian decorative and monumental painter, and porcelain artist. He is known for his porcelain works with agitprop
and Soviet art
imagery.
and won a scholarship to study in Italy until 1909 when he was commissioned to design murals for buildings in St Petersburg and Moscow. His first significant commission was for mosaics for the tomb of the assassinated George I of Greece
.
Adamovich worked in Leningrad
following the Russian Revolution and his two years service in the Revolutionary guard. The Imperial Porcelain Factory
had been founded by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in 1744 as the first porcelain factory in Russia. In 1918 it was renamed the State Porcelain factory and Adamovich was employed. He designed ceramics that reflected the aims of the new government in Russia. He worked there from 1918 to 1919 and he returned in 1921 for two years. Adamovich later went on to work at the Volkhov Ceramic Factory in Novgorod. In 1927 he returned to Moscow to design for the Dulevo Ceramic Factory. He is known for his porcelain works with agitprop
and Soviet art
imagery.
One of Adamovich's 1921 designs, Kapital was selected by British Museum
director Neil MacGregor
as object 96 in the A History of the World in 100 Objects
, a series of radio programmes that started in 2010 as a collaboration between the BBC
and the British Museum. The plate that was chosen had been designed in 1921 and shows a revolutionary worker stamping on the word "Kapital" in the Futurist
style. The plate shows the worker releasing industrial power to benefit the people and not capitalists.
His 1921 designs include He Who Works Not Eats Not, which illustrates the commitment to the revolution. The design on an approximately ten inch porcelain plate shows the head of Lenin, Red Star
and ration books.
The "Kapital" plate that was chosen for the BBC had actually been made twenty years before, in 1901, when the porcelain factory's production was reserved entirely for the Russian royal family. These plates had been stockpiled and were awaiting decoration. The revolutionary worker shown on the plate was meant to be releasing the revolutionary power to the workers. This plate was also being released from the exclusivity of Royal patronage and given to a wider audience.
The 1921 plates were issued by the State Porcelain Factory and they were hand painted over the existing glaze. The plates would not have withstood regular use and were intended mainly for decoration. The plates carried a hammer and sickle as their makers' mark, but they also carried the mark from their original imperial manufacture twenty years before. At this time, the Russian people were starving, and what small production still took place in these factories was at least partially intended for export. It was noted that it was best to not paint over the original firing marks, as they commanded a premium from purchasers outside Russia.
Adamovich was later employed for painting designs on Moscow's buildings, and he died in 1947. In his lifetime he had exhibited at a number of international exhibitions, and in 1925 he won a medal at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs
in Paris.
Agitprop
Agitprop is derived from agitation and propaganda, and describes stage plays, pamphlets, motion pictures and other art forms with an explicitly political message....
and Soviet art
Soviet art
Soviet art was the visual art produced in the Soviet Union.-Early years:During the Russian Revolution a movement was initiated to put all arts to service of the dictatorship of the proletariat...
imagery.
Biography
Adamovich was born in 1884. In 1907 he completed his studies at the Moscow Stroganov School of Art and Industrial DesignStroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry
Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry informally named Stroganovka is one of the oldest Russian schools for the industrial, monumental and decorative art and design. The University is named after its founder, baron Sergei Grigoriyevich Stroganov.-History:The school was founded in...
and won a scholarship to study in Italy until 1909 when he was commissioned to design murals for buildings in St Petersburg and Moscow. His first significant commission was for mosaics for the tomb of the assassinated George I of Greece
George I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
.
Adamovich worked in Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
following the Russian Revolution and his two years service in the Revolutionary guard. The Imperial Porcelain Factory
Imperial Porcelain Factory
The Imperial Porcelain Factory , is a producer of fine, handpainted ceramic products in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was established by Dmitry Ivanovich Vinogradov in the town of Oranienbaum in 1744...
had been founded by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in 1744 as the first porcelain factory in Russia. In 1918 it was renamed the State Porcelain factory and Adamovich was employed. He designed ceramics that reflected the aims of the new government in Russia. He worked there from 1918 to 1919 and he returned in 1921 for two years. Adamovich later went on to work at the Volkhov Ceramic Factory in Novgorod. In 1927 he returned to Moscow to design for the Dulevo Ceramic Factory. He is known for his porcelain works with agitprop
Agitprop
Agitprop is derived from agitation and propaganda, and describes stage plays, pamphlets, motion pictures and other art forms with an explicitly political message....
and Soviet art
Soviet art
Soviet art was the visual art produced in the Soviet Union.-Early years:During the Russian Revolution a movement was initiated to put all arts to service of the dictatorship of the proletariat...
imagery.
One of Adamovich's 1921 designs, Kapital was selected by British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
director Neil MacGregor
Neil MacGregor
Robert Neil MacGregor, OM, FSA is an art historian and museum director. He was the Editor of the Burlington Magazine from 1981 to 1987, the Director of the National Gallery, London, from 1987 to 2002, and was appointed Director of the British Museum in 2002...
as object 96 in the A History of the World in 100 Objects
A History of the World in 100 Objects
A History of the World in 100 Objects was a joint project of BBC Radio 4 and the British Museum, comprising a 100-part radio series written and presented by British Museum director Neil MacGregor...
, a series of radio programmes that started in 2010 as a collaboration between the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and the British Museum. The plate that was chosen had been designed in 1921 and shows a revolutionary worker stamping on the word "Kapital" in the Futurist
Futurism
Futurism was an artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century.Futurism or futurist may refer to:* Afrofuturism, an African-American and African diaspora subculture* Cubo-Futurism* Ego-Futurism...
style. The plate shows the worker releasing industrial power to benefit the people and not capitalists.
His 1921 designs include He Who Works Not Eats Not, which illustrates the commitment to the revolution. The design on an approximately ten inch porcelain plate shows the head of Lenin, Red Star
Red star
A red star, five-pointed and filled, is an important ideological and religious symbol which has been used for various purposes, such as: state emblems, flags, monuments, ornaments, and logos.- Symbol of communism :...
and ration books.
The "Kapital" plate that was chosen for the BBC had actually been made twenty years before, in 1901, when the porcelain factory's production was reserved entirely for the Russian royal family. These plates had been stockpiled and were awaiting decoration. The revolutionary worker shown on the plate was meant to be releasing the revolutionary power to the workers. This plate was also being released from the exclusivity of Royal patronage and given to a wider audience.
The 1921 plates were issued by the State Porcelain Factory and they were hand painted over the existing glaze. The plates would not have withstood regular use and were intended mainly for decoration. The plates carried a hammer and sickle as their makers' mark, but they also carried the mark from their original imperial manufacture twenty years before. At this time, the Russian people were starving, and what small production still took place in these factories was at least partially intended for export. It was noted that it was best to not paint over the original firing marks, as they commanded a premium from purchasers outside Russia.
Adamovich was later employed for painting designs on Moscow's buildings, and he died in 1947. In his lifetime he had exhibited at a number of international exhibitions, and in 1925 he won a medal at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs
Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes
The International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts was a World's fair held in Paris, France, from April to October 1925. The term "Art Deco" was derived by shortening the words Arts Décoratifs, in the title of this exposition, but not until the late 1960s by British art critic...
in Paris.
Works
- Lenin and a Red Star – 1917 design for porcelain cups and saucers
- A Red Star – 1920 design for a 10 inch diameter porcelain plate (pictured)
- Kapital – 1921 design porcelain plate (pictured)
- All Authority to the Soviets! – 1921 design porcelain plate
- He Who Works Not, Eats Not – 1921 design (pictured)
- AB – 1921 design for an approx. 10 inch diameter porcelain plate showing symbols of modern agriculture and architecture.
- Proletarians of All the Lands – Unite! – 1921 design porcelain plate
- The Volunteer – 1921 design porcelain plate
- Long Live the Third Internationale! – 1921 design c. 10 inch diameter porcelain plate
- Long Live the Red Army! – 1922 design c. 10 inch diameter porcelain plate
- Fifth Anniversary of the Red Army! – 1923 design larger diameter porcelain plate
- Long Live the Red Army! – 1923 new design (same title) c. 10 inch diameter porcelain plate