Self-portrait 1915

This is Aristarkh Lentulov's self-portrait, an oil on canvas now hanging in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery. Lentulov was at the forefront of avant-garde painting in Russia, and here, he presents himself as a modern artist through his colourful clothing and confident pose. The image creates meaning through its bold, expressive forms and unconventional use of colour, referencing the European Cubist and Futurist styles that were rapidly developing at the time. Made before the Russian Revolution, Lentulov’s art reflected a spirit of experimentation and a desire to break from traditional artistic conventions. This self-portrait, with its fragmented planes and dynamic composition, embodied the energy and utopian ideals of a society on the brink of transformation. To fully appreciate Lentulov's contribution, we can examine manifestos, exhibition catalogs, and period criticism to reveal the artist's dialogue with contemporary aesthetic and social movements. Through careful study of these contextual materials, we gain insight into the complex relationship between art and society in early 20th century Russia.