Tarusa 1920

Vasily Polenov made this charcoal drawing, ‘Tarusa’. The medium, charcoal, is created through the burning of organic matter, which is then used as a drawing tool. It is fascinating to consider charcoal’s origin in fire, given the domesticity of the scene depicted. The texture of the paper also plays a role. The grainy surface catches the charcoal, creating a broken line and a sense of depth. Look closely, and you can see how the artist coaxes out the image through the application of light and shadow. The soft, smudged lines give the impression of a fleeting moment. The artist allows you to feel the quiet solitude of rural Russia. This work invites us to consider artmaking as a process deeply entwined with everyday life and labor. By emphasizing the materials and making of the work, we can break down the traditional hierarchies between art and craft.