Kadusha 1907

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin painted "Kadusha" with oils to create a portrait that's all about color and surface. The way he's built up those colors feels so intuitive, like he's letting the painting happen as he goes. Looking closely, you can see how the brushstrokes make up the form, especially in the girl’s headdress, and the way the ochre and green tones blend together is lovely. The paint isn't overly thick, but there’s a tangible texture that gives a real sense of presence. The details of her face are not laboured but rendered with sensitivity, especially around her eyes. This reminds me a bit of Gauguin, with its interest in representing an other and the emphasis on surface and flat planes of color over traditional illusionism. Ultimately, art is a conversation across time. It invites us to see things in new ways and to find beauty in the unexpected.