Portrait of Ria (Portrait of A.A. Kholopova) 1915

This is Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin’s “Portrait of Ria”, and it seems to be made with oil on canvas. It’s a mesmerizing piece because of the subtle layering of color. Look how the face isn't just a flat pink, but a mix of blush tones and almost grey hues that give it depth, like a watercolor but in oil. The background has this muted, almost dreamlike quality, constructed from many planes of the same color - this gives the piece a modernist feel. Focus on Ria's lips – they're painted with such precision, a sharp contrast to the softer, more diffused areas of the face. It's like Petrov-Vodkin is zeroing in on a specific aspect of her personality. The texture is smooth, almost porcelain-like, which adds to the ethereal quality of the portrait. It reminds me of some of Picasso’s portraits but with a uniquely Russian sensibility. Ultimately, the painting feels like an intimate, quiet moment captured in time.