Drawing a picture of the Witch 1908

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin drew this picture of a witch using charcoal. The lack of a face is so poignant, isn’t it? I wonder if Petrov-Vodkin was thinking about the power of suggestion, or the fear of the unknown. Maybe he was playing with the idea of witches as shapeshifters, beings that defy definition. I love how the circular line surrounds her head like a halo, it also makes me think about a cauldron bubbling away, full of strange ingredients and potent possibilities. And look at the hands clasped together, full of nervous anticipation. It makes me wonder about other artists who've explored the darker side of human nature like Goya, or Paula Modersohn-Becker, who wasn't afraid to tackle difficult subject matter in her own work. It feels like Petrov-Vodkin is in conversation with them, adding his own unique perspective to the mix. Petrov-Vodkin invites us to bring our own imagination, our own fears, and our own desires to the picture, making it a truly collaborative experience.