The Frost 1907

Igor Grabar made this square painting, The Frost, with small brushstrokes in whites, greens and browns. You can imagine Grabar working outside, in the freezing cold, observing the effect of frost on a group of trees. The painting looks like a field of shimmering white, with subtle colours that catch the light. I wonder if Grabar felt the same way when he looked at the scene? Did he feel the chill of the air and the weight of his paintbrush in his hand? What kind of questions did he ask himself as he painted? His strokes are small and quick, which captures the way the frost twinkles on the branches. The brown of the tree trunks and the subtle greens of the trees add depth to the painting. It reminds me of other painters, like Monet, who were interested in capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Like Grabar, they were in conversation with each other, learning from each other's techniques. I can feel how this painting comes from that tradition, but adds its own unique voice to the conversation.