Princess 2010

Vasiliy Ryabchenko made this large painting, Princess, on an unknown date, with oil on canvas. Look at how Ryabchenko builds up the image with layers of thin washes of paint, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. It’s all about process, with translucent glazes and intuitive gestures. The painting has a hazy, almost mystical feel, doesn’t it? The surface is smooth, and the colors are muted, which gives it this ethereal quality. The contrast between the solid forms of the statues and the soft, flowing shapes of the hair and clouds makes the painting feel very alive. Notice the light blue circle behind the figures; is it a halo, a bubble or a portal? And what’s with the dog-like statues? Ryabchenko's world reminds me of early De Chirico, but with an added layer of strange, personal symbolism. Ultimately, what I love about this piece is how it embraces uncertainty. It doesn't offer any easy answers, but instead invites us to bring our own interpretations to the table.