Satirical graphics in the creation of the plastic artist Ilia Bogdesco

Abstract

A distinct place among the satirical graphic artists from the Republic of Moldova belongs to the plastic artist Ilia Bogdesco (1923-2010). The artist writes an important page in the history of national visual arts, including the creation of multiple humorous-satirical sheets that were presented to the general public both on the pages of the satire and humor magazine Chipăruş and in the art exhibitions. With a special predilection for book graphics and calligraphy, Ilia Bogdesco nevertheless created satirical sheets over the years that fit into the distinctive categories of satirical graphics called a social or a domestic caricature. Through his works, the artist contributed to the satirization and whipping of the unworthy habits of the human being. These are presented artistically through laconic compositions, in which the rhythm, form, and exaggeration of the figurative and the details are practiced through grotesque outlines, symbols, and plastic allegories that favor the promotion of educational messages. Experimenting with a wide spectrum of plastic means, Ilia Bogdesco artistically represents satirical valences directed against bureaucracy, gossip, flattery, greed, and other human vices. Mostly, the satirical sheets made by the plastic artist are executed in watercolor or ink. In total, the creation of the plastic artist Ilia Bogdesco in the field of satirical graphics fits organically into the thematic, semantic, and aesthetic peculiarities of the period in which they were created, and through his humorous-satirical works, he brought the contribution to the valorization of satirical graphics as well book and easel graphics practiced by the graphic artist during his artistic career.