Still life with a jug 1930

David Burliuk made this painting, ‘Still life with a jug,’ in 1930 using oil paints on canvas. The colors are warm, reddish browns with blues and greens giving the painting a dynamic energy, but it’s the brushstrokes that really grab me; they're applied so freely, almost aggressively, which really shows the process of art-making. The texture of the paint is really something. It's thick and juicy in places, especially in the background, but it's also scumbled and dragged across other areas. Look at the jug, how the blues and greys create a sense of depth but also dissolve into the surrounding colors. It’s like Burliuk is not just painting what he sees but what he feels. It makes me think of Van Gogh, both artists share a similar kind of raw emotional intensity that comes through in their mark-making. Ultimately, what I appreciate most about this piece is its ambiguity. It's not about perfect representation; it's about capturing a moment, a feeling, and leaving space for the viewer to bring their own interpretation.