Female Model 1910

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin made this charcoal drawing, Female Model, sometime in the early 20th century, likely as a study for a larger work. The female nude was a common subject in academic art of the time, but this drawing goes beyond the traditional representation of beauty. We can see that Petrov-Vodkin had an interest in a certain kind of female form. The model is full-figured, with strong lines that emphasize her physicality. This contrasts with the more idealized and delicate representations of women that were popular in much of Western art. Petrov-Vodkin was working in Russia during a time of intense social and political change. As such, this drawing offers a glimpse into the cultural values and social norms of the Russian avant-garde, as well as the institutional practices that either enabled or constrained the artist's work. To truly understand this artwork, we can delve into historical resources, examining the artist's biography, the cultural context of the time, and the institutional forces that shaped artistic production.