Still Life. Oranges and radishes. Kislovodsk. 1934

Pyotr Konchalovsky painted these oranges and radishes in Kislovodsk, with what looks like juicy, thick strokes. I can almost feel the push and pull of the brush, the way each stroke must have felt like a small decision, a little conversation between the painter and the canvas. Imagine Konchalovsky, squinting, trying to capture that specific glow of the oranges against the cool blue pattern of the tablecloth. I love the way he didn't try to make it perfect; there's a bit of a wobble to the edges, a bit of messiness that makes it feel so alive. It reminds me of Cezanne, who was similarly obsessed with the humble still life. That one radish, tumbling off the edge of the plate, is like a tiny rebellion against the whole idea of "stillness." For me, that’s what painting is all about: embracing the imperfections, and finding beauty in the unexpected.