Untitled 1943

This untitled painting by Kukryniksy feels like a burst of creative energy caught on paper, made with what looks like watercolor and ink. I can imagine the artist, probably one of three, working quickly, trying to pin down a moment of shock. The colors are muted, almost like a faded photograph, except for that sharp green line connecting the figure to the television, or whatever that boxy thing is meant to be. What I love is how they exaggerate the figure’s expression. The open mouth, the wide eyes, the hand reaching out as if to stop something terrible from happening. It is pure theatre! The quick, thin strokes of paint give the whole image a sense of urgency. As if the artist is saying, "Look at this! Can you believe what’s happening?" I can almost hear the scratch of the pen and the brush against the paper, see the splash of water as they worked, trying to capture this moment before it slips away.