1944–1956

THE MOST DRAMATIC – THE STALINIST – PERIOD OF SOCIALIST REALISM. THOSE ARTISTS THAT DID NOT GO INTO EXILE AND WHO HAD DEVELOPED A REALISTIC STYLE IN THE LATE 1930S HAD TO CONTEND WITH THE DECISIONS OF THE Communist Party of the Soviet Union DENOUNCING FORMALISM AND COSMOPOLITANISM AS WELL AS WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS REGULATING THE OFFICIAL LINE ON ART. FEAR, INSECURITY, INTRIGUE AND REVENGE BLOSSOMED IN ART CIRCLES. FOR A TIME THERE exists THE CURIOUS PHENOMENON OF “BRIGADE ART”. THE FEW INDEPENDENTLY MINDED PEOPLE ARE EXCLUDED. THERE IS THE DRAMATIC ARREST OF THE SO-CALLED “FRENCH GROUP” IN 1951 (PAINTER KURTS FRIDRIHSONS AND OTHERS).