Marcus Chen
Jordan Peterson, the Canadian culture warrior and ‘men’s rights’ activist, has an extensive collection of Soviet-era art and memorabilia. Peterson's home in Toronto is covered in Socialist Realist paintings, which he began collecting around the year 2000. Peterson says he is obsessed with totalitarianism and the human capacity for atrocity and living with the paintings serves as a reminder of the subjugation of art to ideology and the horrors of the USSR. Peterson's collection includes a painting of Lenin's 1917 speech in St. Petersburg and portraits of national heroes like Yuri Gagarin. Interestingly, a portrait of Jordan Peterson himself was created by Swedish artist Johan Hallberg, who finds Peterson inspiring.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of painting | Soviet-era art, Socialist Realist paintings |
| Artist | N/A |
| Owner | Jordan Peterson |
| Subject matter | Portraits of national heroes, idyllic depictions of collective farms, soldiers surveying the aftermath of battle, young pioneers |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Style | Classical composition, skilled painterly technique |
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What You'll Learn
Jordan Peterson's home is filled with Soviet-era art
Jordan Peterson's home in Toronto is filled with Soviet-era art. Peterson has been amassing his collection of Soviet art obsessively for over two decades. Inspired by the psychologist James Pennebaker's hypothesis that events begin to be perceived as "historical" after about 15 years, Peterson began collecting Soviet art around the year 2000, 11 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Peterson's collection includes Socialist Realist paintings, memorabilia, and posters. The home office in his Toronto house features a painting of a strapping worker in a steel foundry and, on the other side, a group of young revolutionaries accepting their fate as they are lined up for execution by a White Army soldier. Another wall in the office displays a massive painting of Lenin's 1917 speech in St. Petersburg, proclaiming the transfer of power to the Soviets.
Peterson's living room features a floor-to-ceiling canvas depicting Soviet soldiers surveying the aftermath of a battle, with a poster of a Young Pioneer boy in uniform on the adjacent wall. Other pieces in his collection include portraits of national heroes like the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and idyllic depictions of collective farms—bountiful fields ploughed by shiny new tractors and young women dressed in white smocks, smiling and chatting while they work.
Peterson has stated that he keeps these paintings around because he has been obsessed with totalitarianism and the human capacity for atrocity. He sees the artwork as a reminder of the subjugation of art to ideology and the horrors of the USSR. While some may view his collection negatively, Peterson frequently praises the classical compositions and skilled painterly techniques evident in the artwork.
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Peterson's collection includes portraits of national heroes
Jordan Peterson's collection of Soviet-era art and memorabilia has become part of his personal mythology. Peterson, a self-described men's rights activist, has been amassing the collection for over two decades, with every room of his Toronto home adorned with Socialist Realist paintings. Peterson's interest in Soviet art was sparked by psychologist James Pennebaker's hypothesis that events begin to be perceived as 'historical' after about 15 years.
Indeed, Peterson's collection includes portraits of national heroes, such as the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, and idyllic depictions of collective farms—bountiful fields ploughed by tractors, with young women dressed in white smocks, smiling and chatting as they work. Peterson's office desk, as seen in his YouTube videos, is flanked by patriotic paintings, including one of a strapping worker in a steel foundry and another of young revolutionaries facing execution by a White Army soldier.
Peterson's appreciation for Soviet art stems from his obsession with totalitarianism and humanity's capacity for atrocity. He views the paintings as a reminder of the subjugation of art to ideology and the horrors of the USSR. Peterson differentiates between propaganda and art, considering a true artist devoid of political messaging. He sees his Soviet paintings as ideological propaganda, a stark contrast to his definition of art as a journey of creative discovery.
Peterson's collection and his interpretation of it are contentious. Psychiatrist Norman Doidge describes Peterson's home as "a semi-haunted house 'decorated' by a delusion that had practically destroyed mankind." Despite the criticism, Peterson frequently praises the technical skill and classical compositions of the Soviet paintings, reflecting on the line between artistic appreciation and ideological agreement.
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Peterson's views on art and the artist
Jordan Peterson, the Canadian culture warrior and ‘men’s rights’ activist, has expressed his views on art and the artist through his words and actions. One notable aspect is his collection of Soviet-era art that adorns his Toronto home, which has become a part of his personal mythology. Peterson's interest in Soviet art began around the year 2000, influenced by psychologist James Pennebaker's theory regarding the perception of events as 'historical'.
Peterson's collection includes Socialist Realist paintings, Soviet memorabilia, and portraits of national heroes. He appreciates the classical compositions and skilled techniques evident in these works. Peterson's fascination with totalitarianism and human capacity for evil has been a driving force behind his collection. He sees these pieces as a reminder of the "subjugation of art to ideology and the horrors of the USSR".
Peterson has also offered insights into his perspective on the role of artists and the nature of art. He believes that artists stand outside the dominance hierarchy, separate from the "game" of society. This position allows them to share their unique perspectives and contribute to insight and growth. According to Peterson, genuine art invades one's life and transforms it by providing a window into the transcendent. It is a means to connect with something beyond ourselves and find strength in the face of life's challenges.
Furthermore, Peterson asserts that art is the bedrock of culture, facilitating psychological unity and productive peace among people. He suggests that artists are explorers of the unknown, transforming it into knowledge. They bring order to chaos, often at the risk of being consumed by it. This exploration of the unknown is what distinguishes art from propaganda in Peterson's view.
Additionally, Peterson has commented on the challenges faced by artists, acknowledging the financial struggles and their role in transforming neglected areas into vibrant, creative spaces. Despite the difficulties, he encourages artists to persevere and continue their quest for genuine artistic expression.
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Peterson's art collection as part of his personal mythology
Jordan Peterson's collection of Soviet art has become an integral part of his personal mythology. Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, began collecting Soviet art around the year 2000, inspired by the psychologist James Pennebaker's hypothesis that events begin to be perceived as 'historical' after about 15 years.
Peterson's Toronto home is filled with Socialist Realist paintings, Soviet-era memorabilia, and art depicting life in the USSR. Peterson has praised the technical skill and classical compositions of these works. He has also expressed an interest in understanding totalitarianism and the human capacity for atrocity, seeing the art as a reminder of the subjugation of art to ideology.
The collection includes paintings of national heroes like Yuri Gagarin, idyllic collective farms, and young revolutionaries. Peterson's office features a painting of a worker in a steel foundry and a massive canvas of Lenin's 1917 speech in St. Petersburg. Peterson's collection serves as a physical representation of his ideas and interests, a visual extension of his thoughts and beliefs.
In his book, "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos," Peterson explores themes of order and chaos, and his art collection can be seen as a physical manifestation of these concepts. The collection reflects his views on art and ideology, with Peterson decrying what he sees as the ideological abuses of art in the present, such as sacrificing virtuosity and creativity for far-left activism.
Peterson's collection of Soviet art is more than just a display of technical skill or historical interest. It is a part of his personal mythology, a physical reminder of his ethical commitment to understanding the darker aspects of human nature and the potential consequences when art becomes subjugated to a singular ideology.
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Peterson's art prints and portraits for sale
Jordan Peterson, the Canadian culture warrior and ‘men’s rights’ activist, has gained notoriety for his extensive collection of Soviet-era art and memorabilia. Peterson's Toronto home is filled with Socialist Realist paintings, which he began collecting around the year 2000. Peterson has praised the classical compositions and skilled painterly techniques of these works. He has also stated that he is "obsessed with totalitarianism and the human capacity for atrocity" and that living with these paintings serves as a reminder of the "subjugation of art to ideology and the horrors of the USSR".
While there do not appear to be any original Jordan Peterson artworks for sale, there are artworks by other artists with the same name. For instance, Charles Peterson is an American artist known for his paintings of sailing ships and seascapes, as well as his unique "memories" paintings. Charles Peterson's artworks are available through Art Brokerage and eBay, where you can find hand-signed, numbered prints for sale.
Charles Peterson's sailing ship paintings reflect his love for sailing and the sea, and have brought him both financial and professional success. His marine paintings have been featured in prestigious galleries and international shows. However, it is his "memories" paintings that have garnered national popularity. These watercolour compositions are the product of the artist's eight years of advanced art training, twenty years as a college professor of art, and two decades of painting full-time.
If you are specifically interested in Jordan Peterson-themed portraits or prints, I can suggest some artists who may be able to create custom works for you. Please note that these artworks would be interpretations of Jordan Peterson or depictions of his likeness, rather than original artworks by the man himself.
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