Volga. Rainbow 1925

Boris Kustodiev’s “Volga. Rainbow” is a painting where the sky’s the limit, both literally and figuratively. You can see how the thick paint and loose brushstrokes create a sense of movement. The way the colors blend feels like an experiment, like he’s testing out different combinations to capture the feel of the light, and it does. The rainbow itself is such a simple arc, but it anchors the whole scene. Look at how the bright colors contrast with the heavy, brooding clouds behind. It's like a moment of hope breaking through the everyday. And down below, the river reflects everything, doubling the drama. There is an American artist, Marsden Hartley, who uses a similar dark palette to create emotion. Paintings like this remind us that art is a conversation. Artists look, respond, and then push things further. It’s a back-and-forth across time, and we get to be a part of it.