A peasant woman with a patterned headscarf 1905

Filipp Malyavin made this painting of a peasant woman with a patterned headscarf in what looks like oil or gouache. The way the colors are applied gives the impression that the act of painting was an intuitive and dynamic process. I love the textures on show here. You can see the individual brushstrokes and the direction in which the paint was applied. In some areas, the paint is thick and opaque, while in others, it’s thin and transparent, allowing the colors underneath to peek through. Look at how the marks around the edges of the shawl are looser and more gestural, creating a sense of movement and energy. The overall effect is a painting that feels alive. It's less about representation and more about sensation. I'm reminded of Paula Modersohn-Becker, who also painted rural figures, but with a more direct gaze. Whereas Malyavin embraces ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate the ever-evolving nature of artistic expression.