A Model Seated on a Bed 1938

Alexandre Jacovleff made this painting of a model, seated on a bed, with oil paint on canvas. It's a kind of study, or a snapshot of a moment, rendered with loose brushstrokes and a pared-down palette. Look at the way Jacovleff layers pinks and reds to create the figure’s skin. It's not about perfection, but about capturing the essence of the pose, the weight of the body, and the intimacy of the scene. The brushstrokes are visible, thick in some places, thin in others, revealing the artist's hand and the process of painting. I love how the figure and the patterned backdrop kind of merge, creating a flattened space. And that tiny red 'W' on the model's chest, a quirky little detail that adds a touch of humor and humanity. It reminds me a little of Bonnard, in its intimacy and its embrace of the everyday. It’s a good reminder that art is a conversation, constantly borrowing and building upon what came before.