Creative pursuits in the sculptures of Lev Golovnitskiy

The article analyzes the formal stylistic characteristics of the easel works of the National Artist of the Russian Federation, academic, Lev Nikolavich Golovnitskiy (1929-1994). Our study allowed us to identify the variations in the sculptor’s compositional genius reflected in the easel art genre. This field was not subject to political and ideological biases, allowing artists to experiment with form and sculpture. We noted a constant cycle of themes characteristic of Golovnitskiy: vast human and civilian themes, heroic deeds and events of the time. We analyzed easel works stored in Russian museum collections. Photographs of Golovnitskiy’s unpreserved easel works are introduced into the literature for the first time. These rare images confirm the breadth of the sculptor’s knowledge in creating forms and are close, stylistically, to the modernist pursuits. Complex methods of analysis allowed us to determine that Golovnitskiy actively used graphic techniques and methods of styling, generalization, and intercompositional rhythmic constructions. The article stresses the importance of studying the artist’s sketches alongside his sculptures, as many graphic and rhythmic findings are reflected in the plastic medium. Special attention is paid L.N. Golovnitsky’s work as a mentor, having trained well-known Buryat sculptor, B.D. Namdakov, using his own unique approaches to compositions.