Portrait B.A.Gorin-Goryainov 1926

Boris Kustodiev made this portrait of B.A. Gorin-Goryainov using graphite on paper. The starkness of the graphite creates an almost photographic effect. Graphite’s versatility allows Kustodiev to achieve a range of tonal values, capturing the sitter's likeness with precision and depth. The texture of the paper is crucial here; it lightly grabs at the graphite, leaving behind a trail of shimmering grey. Kustodiev, born into modest means, gained recognition during a period of social upheaval in Russia. His choice of graphite, a readily available and affordable material, perhaps reflects a democratic approach to portraiture, breaking from the more traditional, exclusive oil paintings of the aristocracy. The medium of graphite, commonly associated with sketching and preliminary studies, adds an element of immediacy and accessibility to the artwork. Ultimately, the simplicity of materials and the directness of the drawing process invites us to reconsider the value and status of the medium itself. It challenges the historical hierarchy between drawing and painting, and between craft and fine art.