The girl in sarafan 1928

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin painted "The girl in sarafan" at a time when he was thinking about depicting the inner spiritual life of his subjects. The pale blues and reds create a sense of calm. I can imagine Petrov-Vodkin layering these colours, building up the forms slowly. You can almost feel the artist’s hand, carefully blending each brushstroke. The texture of the paint looks smooth, soft. I wonder what Petrov-Vodkin was thinking as he rendered the girl's expression. It’s in her eyes. They say so much. There's something melancholic about this painting; a longing. Perhaps the artist was thinking about the changing social landscape of his time? Or simply capturing the mood of this young woman? The way she looks at us feels very direct, like she is looking right through us. There are echoes of Russian Realism, and yet Petrov-Vodkin has a unique vision. Painting is like a conversation across time, and his painting speaks to a range of artistic styles. Art is an ongoing dialogue, isn’t it?