Quay in Ryazan 1931

Pyotr Konchalovsky made this painting, Quay in Ryazan, with what looks like oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is how the colour seems to emanate from within. The paint is applied in visible strokes, not too thick but definitely present, creating a surface that feels both immediate and considered. I love the way Konchalovsky handles the snow, it's not just white but a whole symphony of blues, greys, and pinks. There's a spot near the bottom, where workers are carrying logs, and you can see the brushstrokes dance and blend, suggesting depth and texture with minimal fuss. It's like he's saying, "Here's winter, in all its messy, beautiful glory." Konchalovsky reminds me a little of the Fauvist painters, like Derain, who also weren’t afraid to use colour expressively. These are artists who understand painting as a conversation, an ongoing exploration of what it means to see and feel the world.