Easter Greeting 1916

Boris Kustodiev made this painting, Easter Greeting, using oil on canvas. I love how Kustodiev’s approach to mark-making feels so intuitive, like he's letting the colours lead the way, giving the whole scene a lively, energetic feel. Look at the textures he creates, the almost creamy quality of the paint, thick in places, thin in others. The pink shawl draped over the woman’s shoulders, for instance, feels almost touchable, soft and inviting. Notice the way the light catches the edges of the shawl, or the little dabs of colour that make up the floral pattern. There’s a sense of movement and life in every brushstroke. Kustodiev reminds me of other artists who aren't afraid to embrace the joy and vibrancy of colour, like Matisse. In the end, art is just one big conversation, right? A back-and-forth across time and space, where artists build on each other’s ideas, challenge conventions, and ultimately, invite us to see the world in new and unexpected ways.