Execution 1912

Pavel Filonov's painting, Execution, is made from oil on canvas. It's a disturbing, monumental composition. Filonov was committed to a unique analytical approach to art, and his commitment to intense labor is clear. Close inspection reveals a meticulous surface, built up through layers of tiny, precise marks. The monochromatic palette only intensifies the graphic impact of the scene. Filonov developed his own artistic language, using fractured forms to convey a sense of fragmentation and social disruption. His practice embraced those elements of labor and class, which he would have observed around him. The execution is not only literal, but social. Filonov's art challenged the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. His life ended in poverty, but his work remains, a testament to the power of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.