Spring-Winter 2007

Andrey Remnev painted this work, Spring-Winter, with oil on canvas. Note the division of the canvas. On one side, we have a fair woman in white, shielding her eyes, while on the other, a darker figure in blue is self-contained, holding herself. The blue floral motif on the tiles behind them is reminiscent of the ancient symbol of the 'fleur-de-lis,' historically associated with French royalty and power. Yet here, it's domesticated, patterned on common tiles, suggesting a subdued, internalized strength. Observe the gesture of the woman in white, reminiscent of figures in classical art reaching out or warding off. This motif has evolved, appearing in religious contexts to deflect evil, and in secular art as an expression of longing. Here, it seems to suggest a search, or perhaps a defense against the starkness of what lies ahead. The cyclical nature of these symbols reveals how cultural memory operates, constantly repurposing and reinterpreting the past.