Glass and lemon 1922

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin created “Glass and Lemon” using oil on canvas, a technique that emphasizes materiality. Petrov-Vodkin applied the paint in visible brushstrokes, which gives a tactile quality to the image, and the color palette is intentionally muted, which evokes a somber mood. He uses common objects and materials to give the artwork its inherent qualities of substance and texture. The social significance is implied through the amount of work involved in the painting process. Each brushstroke represents labor, and the depiction of everyday objects suggests a focus on the lives of ordinary people rather than the elite. Considering materials, making and context helps us see the meaning of the artwork, challenging the distinctions between fine art and craft.