Portrait of K.B. Kustodiev 1922

Boris Kustodiev painted this portrait of K.B. Kustodiev, using oil. The pinks and reds of the sitter’s robe are just fabulous, aren't they? They almost vibrate off the canvas. I’m thinking about the way Kustodiev applies the paint in these broad strokes, really committing to a sort of Fauvist intensity. Look at the way the light glances off the surface, creating a dance of color and shadow. The overall effect is one of boldness, verve, and an unapologetic embrace of color. It’s the confidence in the handling of the paint that really grabs me. Kustodiev isn’t afraid to let the brushstrokes show, or to let the colors mingle and bleed into each other. It’s like he’s saying, "Here it is, raw and unfiltered." You could see some of Matisse’s influence here, with that love of strong color and simplified forms. Art is always a conversation, and Kustodiev is definitely adding his voice to the mix.