Petrov-Vodkin's paintings are absolutely memorable. Their inner strength and dynamics captivates the audience and makes them perceive the world around them in a new way. The artist worked in the period of the breakdown of eras, so the constant search for forms and innovation are felt in each of his works.
The most famous paintings of Petrov-Vodkin:
1
African boy (1907)
The portrait of an African boy is one of many children's portraits. It is written in the style of modernism. A dark-skinned child from a poor village in a torn shirt is depicted on the background of a building decorated with tiles in the national style.
The immediacy and curiosity of the facial expression of the child is simultaneously combined with inner fear and closedness to an unknown white person - the child’s right hand covers his chest and tightly covers his left hand.
2
Bathing the Red Horse (1912)
KS Petrov-Vodkin’s painting “Bathing the Red Horse” at the 1912 art exhibition made a splash. It was an innovative idea - to combine the past and the future in the development of painting. Here the methods of icon painting, monumentalism, the Art Nouveau style and decorative art were combined. The red horse is a frequent hero of Russian icons and epics.
In the painting of Petrov-Vodkin, the red horse is the central and significant figure of the picture. It is depicted against a background of emerald water. The body of a naked boy sitting astride was discharged with anatomical accuracy, and his face looks somewhat schematic and detached. This monumental work entered the world of people as a symbol of the upcoming revolutionary changes in the fate of Russia.
By the way, about the most beautiful horse breeds on our site there is a very beautiful article with many photos.
3
Portrait of a Boy (1913)
Perov-Vodkin devoted a huge part of his work to portraits. The image of children provided an opportunity for the artist to conquer new horizons.
The portrait of a boy is one of the famous children's portraits of the artist’s brush. It emphasizes the transition period, the formation of the personality of the child. His face is still childishly gentle and round, but in the look you can already feel the determination and awakening masculinity of the hero. The green background allows you to emphasize the velvetiness of the boy's dark skin, his youth and freshness.
4
On the line of fire (1916)
The canvas "On the Line of Fire" is written at the peak of patriotism, at the height of the First World War. It reflects the sacrifice of the Russian army. The death of the ensign, leading a soldier on the battlefield, surprisingly resembles the icon-painting image of a martyr. Petrov-Vodkin said at that time: “May God save Russia.”
The painting is based on three primary colors - yellow, red and blue. The composition is built on the principle of a circle, like a panorama, when you can see the picture from all sides.
5
Herring (1918)
The devastation, lack of extremely scarce food and the severity of life are reflected in the still life “Herring”, written by Petrov-Vodkin in 1918. Potato, black bread, rusty herring - this is all that could be found in Petrograd, engulfed by the revolution. Laconicism and simplicity, clarity and versatility of the forms of objects make this still life a cult and monumental. This is a kind of anthem of the era.
The artist refers to these simple products as jewels. Herring shimmers with gold reflections against the background of a neat piece of blue paper, potatoes and a small pile of bread seem to be precious stones on a pink tablecloth. From the edge of the table you can see the face of the artist’s child waiting for the start of a miserable dinner.
6
Petrov-Vodkin, Self-portrait (1918)
Self portrait of the artist, written very sculpturally. Hard chopped face shapes create a solid masculine image that soberly and seriously perceives the surrounding reality. Petrov-Vodkin painted an excellent psychological self-portrait. In front of the viewer there is an image of a thinker, intelligent and seasoned person.
7
Morning Still Life (1918)
The painting “Morning Still Life” is a work full of joy and morning optimism. It seems that the aroma of tea breaks out of the picture. Unusual view of a still life. As if tearing himself away from the pillow, the artist looks around the table laid carelessly for breakfast. A faceted glass with tea, a silver spoon, a modest bouquet of wildflowers, a faceted teapot, boiled eggs - create an unusual homeliness and cause a healthy appetite, which happens only in the morning.
The wonderful things surrounding the artist were expertly written in order to show that the everyday world can be beautiful and picturesque.
The morning sun illuminates the table, and a steady pink light spread across the room. Objects stand apart on the table, not overlapping each other, but this technique adds to the still life only harmony and balance. The viewer is given the opportunity to carefully examine each item on the table.
Such isolation, on the contrary, unites objects of still life. In the mirror facets of the teapot, mother-of-pearl eggs are reflected, as well as a red cat in them. On the sides of the eggs orange reflections from a glass of tea burn. Through the edges of the glass you can see how a silver spoon is refracted three times, emphasizing the three-dimensional space. Matches left on the table and a dog peeking out from the table remind of the close presence of a person.
8
Still Life with a Prism (1920)
A huge space is enclosed in a small framework of a still life. In the mirror lying on the table, geometric shapes are reflected - a glass rounded prism and a box of matches. Casement windows in endless straight lines are immersed in the mirror space. On the sides of the wooden frame of the mirror lies a green apple and a silver spoon.
The fiction of the depicted is emphasized by the plane of the table, which is covered with a crumpled blue tablecloth, the creases of which resemble a stormy water surface.
9
1918 in Petrograd (1920)
Another name for this painting is “Petrograd Madonna”. This is one of the most famous and significant paintings of Petrov-Vodkin.
In the center of the picture, against the backdrop of a bustling revolutionary city, a young woman is depicted with a baby in her arms. Her posture, alarming facial expression, head turn, snow-white shawl, green dress and red cape resemble the Virgin. The two figures of mother and child are very symbolic.
Many critics consider this image a symbol of revolutionary Russia, a symbol of a radical change in historical events. Against the background of devastation and complete chaos, the image of a woman with an infant appears as a hope for the future, as a continuation of life.
10
Still Life with a Samovar (1920)
Still life with a samovar written in a recognizable and exclusive manner by the artist. The color of the picture is based on shades of blue. The smooth mirror surface of the samovar reflects the surrounding space and expands the boundaries of the picture. The palette on the table speaks of the current occupation of the artist, and a sketch depicting a female image suggests what the master is working on now.
11
Portrait of Anna Akhmatova (1922)
Strict, without unnecessary pathos, the portrait of Anna Akhmatova by Petrov-Vodkin is one of her best portraits. Piercing blue eyes, even fringe, strict black dress - this is Anna Akhmatova, whom we know and honor as the most outstanding poet of the early 20th century. Her talent, tragic fate and fortitude are known to everyone.
The background of the portrait is a strict muse, bowing its head. Only the most talented people can hear her whisper, an outstanding Russian poetess is one of them.
12
Death of the Commissioner (1928)
In the Soviet period, Petrov-Vodkin created a canvas of great importance, which revealed both the era and the theme of sacrifice for a bright future. The painting "The Death of the Commissar" was painted after the end of the civil war, full of fraternal bloodshed and cruelty.
The plot of the picture was the tragic story of the death of the commissar on the battlefield in the Civil War. In the foreground at the top of the hill, a Red Army man supports a dying commissar. Behind them, the Red Army continues to move forward. To display the extent of what is happening, the artist skillfully used a spherical perspective.
The color of the picture is based on a combination of ocher, blue and green. Perfectly transmitted space. From the height of the hill you can see the complex relief of the area, the blue ribbon of the river and a small town.
13
Apple and Lemon (1930)
The simple still-life "Apple and Lemon" is built on the same principle as the rest of Petrov-Vodkin's still lifes. The picture is built on the contrast of colors. The perspective “top and side view” was not chosen for nothing: a large yellow apple and cut lemon on a saucer look very advantageous against the background of a graphic pattern of a pink-lilac tablecloth.
14
Bird cherry in a glass (1932)
The viewer immediately recognizes by a fantastic compositional and color scheme, whose brush belongs to the still-life “Cheryukha in a glass”. Petrov-Vodkin used an extraordinary innovative angle in a still life, which still makes his paintings unforgettable.
Dark ultramarine table cover, red magazine cover, on which stands a simple glass with a branch of bird cherry, an inkwell, letters, a saucer with a silver spoon create an amazing three-dimensional space. A thin glass of water and the verge of a thick glass inkwell catch and refract the sun's rays of a spring day. A box of matches, unread letters and the absence of a tea glass indicate the presence of the author. He drinks tea, smokes and is about to read the correspondence.
15
1919 year. Anxiety (1934)
The tremendous tragedy of Petrov-Vodkin's Anxiety was written in the peaceful year of 1934, as a recollection of the tragic events of 1919. Troubled times are reflected in people's condition. The head of the family stares intently into the night street outside the window. A defenseless child sleeps quietly in bed. The woman in the center of the picture looks at the child with alarm. Something terrible and unknown is coming.
16
Girl with a Doll (1937)
The artist painted the portrait of the goddaughter of the artist Tanya Piletskaya shortly before his death. This portrait is very delicate and delicate. The girl is shown with her favorite doll, which her parents gave her for her birthday. The background of the portrait is the warm brown wooden walls of the veranda. A white lace dress sets off the beautiful face of the child.
On our site most-beauty.ru you can admire photos of the most beautiful dolls in the world.
Afterword
Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin was not only a bright Russian and Soviet artist. He was an outstanding teacher and stood at the origins of the creation of art education in the USSR.
The editors of most-beauty.ru consider it an impossible task to choose the most beautiful of the many works of the Russian painter. Therefore, below we will post some more beautiful paintings by Petrov-Vodkin.
Girls on the Volga (1915)
Our Lady of Tenderness of Evil Hearts (1915)
After the battle (1923)
In Shuvalov (1926)
Lenushka in bed (1926)
Behind the Samovar (1926)
Girl at the desk (1934)
Portrait of V.I. Lenin (1934)
On this our article came to an end. We are waiting for your comments! Write what other paintings by Petrov-Vodkin found a response in your soul.