Province (Kostroma) 1906

Boris Kustodiev made this painting, Province (Kostroma), with oil on canvas. The brushwork is so lively; the grass looks like it's made of a million little green dashes, like he just flicked the paint on there. It's all about capturing a feeling, a moment, rather than getting every detail perfect. There’s something about the way Kustodiev handles the paint that makes me think of a stage set. The paint isn't trying to hide itself. It feels really honest, like he’s showing us exactly how he’s building this world. And the two ladies under the parasol, they could be characters in a play, couldn’t they? They’re positioned at the front of the green with their backs to us, looking out onto the scene as if they are observing this play too. Kustodiev was interested in capturing the spirit of Russian life, like some of the Impressionists were doing in France. I think this painting is speaking to that tradition. There is something really special about this artwork that makes you want to look at it again and again.