Final answer:
Stalin did not tolerate any artistic expressions that deviated from the state-mandated socialist realism, which sought to glorify the Soviet state and Stalin's image. Avant-garde, formalism, impressionism, expressionism, and abstraction were rejected as incompatible with Stalinist propaganda objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joseph Stalin did not tolerate any forms of art that did not conform to the state-sanctioned style of socialist realism. As the artistic expression in the Soviet Union was highly centralized, avant-garde and formalist styles were dismissed as being inaccessible to the masses, despite their visual literacy and growing sophistication in science and culture. Under Stalin's regime, art became a government-controlled tool for propaganda, with the sole purpose of glorifying the state and Stalin himself. This included rejecting movements like impressionism, expressionism, and abstraction which were perceived as inadequate for portraying Stalin's image. Realism—or more specifically socialist realism—became the mandated style, designed to present Stalin as a mythological figure, often placing him in historical events where he was not present. Art that failed to resonate with the Communist ideology or failed to protect Stalin's cult of personality was not permitted.
The control of art extended to various aspects of cultural production, and Stalin personally watched every film before its release, ensuring that all cultural products aligned with the official narratives. Moreover, an industry was created where artists were contracted under Kontraktatsiia to produce artworks on designated themes, typically promoting communist values and the leader's image. A complete art industry was built around Stalin, saturating the public space with his depictions, and leaving no room for dissent or alternative artistic expressions.