Ladytamer 2002

Andrey Remnev made this painting, Ladytamer, with oils at an unknown date. It’s all in the details with this one; Remnev creates a fantastical world where Russian folklore comes alive. I love the bold use of red, which is really carried through the architectural detail and the ornamentation on her clothing. Looking closely, you see that the surface has a gentle texture, with smooth gradations of colour, creating a soft, almost dreamlike quality. Take the cats, for instance, scattered across her robe; they’re these playful, almost cartoonish shapes, but rendered with so much care and precision. It gives the whole painting this wonderful tension between the real and the imagined. And then there’s that braid, falling down her front like a river of dark chocolate! Remnev's work makes me think about artists like Balthus, who similarly blended classical techniques with a touch of the surreal. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is a conversation, a constant exchange of ideas across time.