Portrait of L.S. Bakst 1910

This is Boris Kustodiev’s "Portrait of L.S. Bakst," and it’s an exercise in darks. It's like Kustodiev is feeling his way through shadows to find Bakst. The overall feel is somber, with a limited palette dominated by blacks and grays. There's this little pop of muted color in the fruit bowl, but even that feels a bit subdued. It makes you wonder what kind of mood they were in. Look at the way Kustodiev handles the light on Bakst's coat. It's almost sculptural, like he’s carving the form out of the darkness. The brushstrokes are visible, not trying to hide anything, which gives it a raw, immediate feel. It’s like you’re seeing the painting being made. There's a quiet intensity about this portrait. It reminds me a bit of Vuillard, that sense of intimacy and introspection. But Kustodiev brings his own sensibility to it, a kind of brooding presence. It feels like you’re catching a glimpse of something private, a moment of contemplation. And in the end, that’s what makes it so compelling.