The Philosophers: Portrait of Sergei Bulgakov and Pavel Florenskiy 1917

Mikhail Nesterov's “The Philosophers: Portrait of Sergei Bulgakov and Pavel Florenskiy” is made with oil paint, where, with gentle care, he depicts two deep thinkers strolling through a verdant landscape. I find myself wondering about the artist's hand as he worked. Did he blend colors slowly and deliberately? Or did he dab them quickly and intuitively? Look at how the soft brushstrokes render the forest in the background, where individual trees are suggested rather than strictly defined. I can see how the two figures are cast in shadow while walking through a bright, airy space. Perhaps Nesterov was trying to capture their pensive moods or the quiet contemplation they experienced during their walks. I imagine he must have felt a strong connection to these figures. Nesterov painted many religious subjects, and this piece feels related but more intimate. It makes me think about how we all seek guidance and understanding, and how artists like Nesterov help us see those connections in the world around us.