Spanish Dancers 1918

Natalia Goncharova made this painting of Spanish Dancers, likely in oil on canvas, playing with a restrained palette of blacks, whites, and creams to create a sense of depth and dynamism. The way she builds up the figures from geometric shapes really emphasizes art making as a process. The textures in "Spanish Dancers" are fascinating; the surfaces almost seem to ripple with the energy of the dance. In certain areas, like the floral patterns on the dancers' shawls, there’s a delicate intricacy, while elsewhere, Goncharova uses broader strokes to define the stark contrasts in the costumes. Look at the way the paint is applied in the folds of the dresses – it's almost sculptural! The way that the light bounces off the surface gives you a sense of movement. Goncharova’s contemporary, Sonia Delaunay, comes to mind, with her interest in color and geometric abstraction. Ultimately, this painting is a reminder that art is an ongoing experiment – each artwork building upon the ideas of those who came before.