Space-Force Construction 1921

Lyubov Popova made Space-Force Construction, a real banger, with oil on canvas. Popova’s colours here are grounded in earthy tones of browns, ochres and creams, but look closer and you'll see the shapes are dynamic, almost vibrating. The composition, built from intersecting circles and lines, is like a map of some abstract, futuristic city under construction. The surface looks smooth, but the gestures are raw, like Popova was wrestling with the paint. Look how the dark brown arcs sweep around the canvas, creating a sense of movement and depth. They remind me of Robert Delaunay, who was also exploring simultaneity in painting. This is not just a picture but a statement. In her brief but intense career, Popova was always pushing boundaries.