Portrait of D.M. Solsky 1908

Boris Kustodiev painted this portrait of D.M. Solsky, using oils, with a distinctive, almost decorative approach to mark-making. The colors are muted, but the gold brocade pops, doesn’t it? It's like he’s balancing realism with a nod to something more theatrical. Check out the materiality here. The paint isn’t overly thick, but you can see how Kustodiev built up layers, especially in the ornate details of Solsky’s jacket and the floral patterns on the chair. Look closely at the way he’s rendered the gold trim. Each stroke feels deliberate, catching the light in its own way. There is a tension between flat pattern and three-dimensional form which reminds me of Klimt. I am drawn to that small red flower tucked on his right lapel, a tiny splash of rebellion against all that gold and blue. In a way it anticipates Malevich’s suprematism. It’s these little details that make art so interesting, the conversations happening within the artwork.