Lilacs in Braids 1952

Pyotr Konchalovsky made this painting of lilacs, probably in oil on canvas, sometime in the mid twentieth century. The colors are muted, soft, and a little dreamy, and the brushstrokes are dabbed and swirled, which makes me think about how painting can be a process of collecting and arranging. It’s like gathering little bits of color and putting them together to make something new. Look closely at the way Konchalovsky handles the paint, especially in the lilac blossoms. He uses layers of thin paint, letting the colors blend and mix on the canvas. The overall effect is luminous and airy, full of light and movement. It reminds me a little bit of Bonnard, with its loose, impressionistic touch and emphasis on color and light. Ultimately, this painting is less about representing lilacs and more about exploring the possibilities of paint and color.