The Camel Ride 1935

Konstantin Gorbatov made 'The Camel Ride' with what looks like watercolour, capturing a scene soaked in sun. The brushstrokes are loose and flowing, giving the impression of a place caught in motion and transformation. The sandy yellows and browns used throughout create a sense of warmth and dryness, and you can almost feel the heat radiating off the dunes. Notice how the texture changes with the different elements. In the sky, the washes are thin and transparent and the brushstrokes suggest the lightness of the clouds. But the earth is painted with thicker, more opaque strokes, and darker hues suggesting weight and mass. The small figures of the riders are mere blobs against the landscape. The way the light catches the crest of the dunes reminds me a little of some of the Fauvist landscapes made by Derain or Vlaminck, although Gorbatov is perhaps a little more restrained. Ultimately, it’s a work that celebrates the ever-changing nature of our experience.