Guitar 1915

Lyubov Popova made this painting, "Guitar," with oil paint, using an almost monochromatic palette, giving it a sense of seriousness and depth. Look at how Popova divided the guitar into geometric shapes. The lines seem to vibrate, creating movement and tension. You can almost hear the sound of the guitar. It reminds me of Cubism, but with a Russian twist. The surface texture looks smooth, like she may have worked into the paint over time. Consider the shapes: they seem to overlap and intersect, creating a kind of dance on the canvas. Popova almost wants you to decode the image, engaging you in the process of seeing. It is like she is inviting us to experience the music and art in a more active way. I think Popova was definitely onto something!