Self-portrait with wife 1928

Pyotr Konchalovsky painted this self-portrait with his wife in oil on canvas, though there is no date for when he made it. Look closely at Konchalovsky’s brushwork. See how he builds up the forms with loose, visible strokes? It's all about the process, the act of seeing and translating that vision onto the canvas. The colors are muted, almost earthy, giving the painting a warm, intimate feel. The texture is where it's at: thick daubs of paint create a tactile surface, especially in the background. You can almost feel the weight of the paint, the physical effort of the artist. Now, focus on the way Konchalovsky renders his wife's face. The brushstrokes are softer, more gentle, conveying a sense of tenderness. It’s a sweet, intimate moment, made all the more powerful by the raw, expressive quality of the paint. I think of someone like Alice Neel who was also able to convey so much about the human condition through her portraiture.