Portrait of Nikolay Radlov 

Alexandre Jacovleff rendered this charcoal portrait of Nikolay Radlov during a period of intense artistic and social change in Russia. Jacovleff, having gained prominence before the revolution, would soon find himself part of the Russian diaspora in Paris. This portrait captures Radlov with a soft, almost melancholic gaze. Radlov was a fellow artist, critic, and educator who was deeply engaged in the avant-garde movements of the time. His own artistic and critical endeavors were shaped by the revolutionary fervor and search for new forms of expression. There's a certain tension in viewing this portrait, knowing the future that awaited many artists in the Soviet Union. While Jacovleff built an international career, Radlov remained in Russia and, despite initial successes, later faced ideological criticism and repression under Stalin. Ultimately, this image serves as a poignant reminder of the intertwined destinies of artists during times of political upheaval, reflecting both personal vulnerability and resilience.