Verka 1913

Filipp Malyavin made Verka with oil on canvas. I wonder what it might have been like for Malyavin to paint this portrait? The painting is bursting with energy. Look at the confident strokes of color, especially in the dress and headscarf, each applied with such certainty. It's like Malyavin is not just painting Verka but also capturing something essential about her spirit. I think there's a real conversation happening here, maybe with someone like, I don’t know, Matisse. The way Malyavin handles the paint, layering it thick in some places and letting it thin out in others, reminds me of how painters play with materiality to evoke feelings, memories, and experiences. The brushwork is visible, raw, and honest. These artists remind us that painting isn't just about representation. It's about connection, feeling, and the endless possibilities that open up when we allow ourselves to see and think in new ways.