Trinity 1915

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin made this painting, Trinity, employing thin layers of paint with visible pencil underdrawings that reveal the bones of the composition. There is a lot to be said for a painting where you can see the process, you know? Here, the initial sketch, that scaffolding, it feels almost as important as the finished image. Look at the tabletop, how it tilts up, defying perspective. It’s wonky, and that’s what makes it so compelling. The palette is muted, earthy, dominated by reds, ochres, and blues, colours that feel both ancient and modern. The way the paint is applied so thinly in areas gives the impression of a fresco, as if we're looking at something directly on a wall. I am reminded of El Greco, but filtered through a more modern sensibility. Both artists share a similar elongation of form, a spiritual intensity. It’s this blend of tradition and invention that makes the Trinity so very special.