Self-portrait with wife and daughter 1911

Filipp Malyavin made this “Self-portrait with wife and daughter” with oil on canvas, though we don’t know exactly when. Just look at the swirl of colours, like a garden exploding onto the canvas! I can imagine Malyavin, brush in hand, diving into this flurry of strokes, building up layers of paint to create a sense of depth and movement. The figures emerge from this vibrant chaos, their forms softened by the painterly touch. I wonder, what was it like for him to capture his family in this way? Was he striving for a likeness, or something more? The way the light catches on the folds of his wife’s dress, and the delicate features of his daughter, it’s like he’s trying to capture not just their appearance, but their very essence. It’s hard to put your finger on what's going on, but in the gestures and brushstrokes, there's a sense of something profound. And that's what keeps me coming back to painting - it's not about answers, but the ongoing questions.