Red gold mask 2020

Sergey Piskunov has created this painting, "Red gold mask," with an eye for high detail. I see that the gold leaf is precisely placed, almost like he's gilding her face. I can imagine the process of building up the face, layer by layer, and then carefully applying the gold leaf. Is it a mask? A kind of armor? It's interesting how he has chosen to cover her face with gold, obscuring and revealing her features. You can see that he uses cool violets and greens, which contrast beautifully with the warmth of the gold. The way the gold catches the light makes me think about surface and depth. The light glances off the gold and it's like a dance between the material and the ephemeral. Piskunov has an impressive talent, and it reminds me of other painters throughout history who have experimented with gold. Artists are always in conversation with one another, playing with ideas across time. I love the mystery of this painting and how it leaves you with more questions than answers.