Sergiev Posad 1922

Aristarkh Lentulov painted Sergiev Posad with oils, and a whole lot of energy. The buildings jostle, almost bouncing off the canvas. It feels like Lentulov mixed the colors right on the surface, swiping thick daubs of paint with an almost frantic energy. Look at the way he renders the sky; it's not just blue, but a swirling mix of blues, purples, and whites that give the clouds a real sense of weight and movement. The buildings are outlined with dark strokes, making them look like they're about to jump out of the painting. There is a feeling of pure joy in the application of paint, like each stroke is a little celebration. It reminds me of the work of Lyonel Feininger, another artist who wasn't afraid to let the world wobble a bit. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be perfect to be powerful, and that sometimes the most interesting things happen when we let go and let the paint do its thing.