Pock 1915

Igor Grabar created this oil on canvas painting with short, deliberate brushstrokes. The thick application of paint isn't just about capturing an image; it's about the very act of seeing and the labor that goes into representing it. Look at the layers of color, how they build up to create texture and depth. Grabar wasn’t trying to hide the work involved; instead, he celebrated the tactile quality of paint. This approach challenges the traditional idea of a painting as a seamless illusion. It emphasizes the physical presence of the materials and the artist's hand. By focusing on the materiality and the process of creation, Grabar blurs the lines between high art and the more grounded realm of craft. It's a reminder that art is not just about what you see, but also about how it's made.