Saint Alexandr Nevsky 1914

Natalia Goncharova made this print, Saint Alexandr Nevsky, using lithography. Look at how the stark contrast of black and white creates a graphic punch, almost like a woodcut but with a softer, greasier feel. It's clear Goncharova wasn't aiming for realism, but rather, an emotional and almost mystical representation. The texture comes alive through these dense, scratchy lines, especially in the horse's mane and the saint's robes. The whole scene vibrates with energy. See how Goncharova uses line to suggest form and movement, there's a real physicality to how she renders the figures and landscape; they seem to emerge from the paper, bold and present. Goncharova’s contemporary, Paula Modersohn-Becker also explored similar themes of peasant life and spirituality in her work. I think that these works are part of an ongoing conversation about how we imbue our everyday lives with meaning and art, and the power of art to embrace multiple interpretations.