Portrait of M.D. Shostakovich 1923

Boris Kustodiev rendered this portrait of M.D. Shostakovich in 1923. The composition is simple, focusing on the subject's face and upper body. Kustodiev uses delicate lines and soft hues to create a sense of gentle warmth. The colour palette is muted, except for the bright red lips and the striking blue earrings, which draw the viewer's eye. The artist’s delicate approach to line and colour can be understood through the lens of formalism. The emphasis on these elements, rather than on deep psychological insight, invites us to consider the surface of the image as a site of meaning. The overall effect is one of subtle elegance, which challenges the traditional portrait's aim to capture an individual’s essence. This work seems to propose that the aesthetic experience itself is a valid form of representation.