“Workwoman Embroidering

the Flag” Sculpture

Created at the State

Porcelain Factory

by sculptor Natalia Danko,

1920

The paradigmatic porcelain figurine “Workwoman

Embroidering the Flag” stands

among the first subjects of the Soviet

“agitporcelain” (porcelain works aimed at

revolutionary propaganda). In addition,

it is the handiwork of one of the most

famous national porcelain artists Natalia Danko.

Of course, the wonderful figurine of a workwoman

was created as a “topic of the

day.” But with such craftsmanship and deep

love was it made that now not only

does it serve as an example of the aesthetics

of that time, but also arouses sentimental

feelings. Striking plastic and distinctive colours

could really remind of what our country recently lived.

Collection custodian:

“The revolutionary poppy-red colour was developed at the Petrograd State

Porcelain Factory in 1918. Actually, the colour itself was a part of Lenin’s

epic ‘Monumental Propaganda Plan.’ The adoption of new colours have adorned

the life of the Soviet country and added a solemn festivity to it. It is this

red colour that became the colour of the national flag, inspired generations

of Soviet people to heroism and was glorified in the Soviet-era works of art.”

Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic of 1918

reference

Natalia Danko (1892-1942) was a student of another famous sculptor, Kuznetsov, V.V.

All throughout her life she worked at the State Porcelain Factory and

left a significant artistic legacy of more than 300 pieces. Her unique porcelain

sculptures featuring episodes from Soviet life are now considered classic examples

of the style and pride of museum and private collections. Moreover, the sculptor

was one of the first in the USSR who applied porcelain in architecture: in 1936-37

she completed 14 bas-reliefs, “Dances of the USSR Nations,” for the Moscow

metro station “Ploshchad Sverdlova” (now “Teatralnaya”). Natalia Danko's life

ended tragically in 1942. After surviving famine of the most difficult months in the

besieged Leningrad during WWII, she died shortly after the evacuation from the

starving city on her way to the Ural city of Irbit, where she was buried.

Porcelain figurines at the Teatralnaya station of Moscow metro. Made at the Leningrad Porcelain

Factory after sketches by sculptor Natalia Danko.

Author: Andreykor