The Beggar c. 1930s

Alexandre Jacovleff made this painting, called ‘The Beggar,’ with what looks like oil paint, layering color upon color. There’s a real emphasis on process here, you can see the making so clearly! The paint is applied in a way that feels both deliberate and intuitive, look at that expressive use of texture and color, especially in the beggar's robes. See how the physicality of the medium enhances the emotional experience of the piece. Notice how the artist used a limited color palette to create a sense of warmth and intimacy. I am drawn to the way the artist captured the light reflecting on the fabric. It’s like a conversation between the artist and the subject, and maybe even between Jacovleff and someone like, I don’t know, Paula Modersohn-Becker who was similarly interested in using earthy palettes to portray marginalised figures. Ultimately, the beauty of art lies in its ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the canvas.