Square at the exit of the city 1911

Boris Kustodiev painted this town square, with what looks like oil on canvas, maybe searching for a way to see the world anew. The materiality here is so present. Look at how he drags the brush, thin paint and thick, to build up these architectural forms. It’s not about hiding the making, but revealing it, like a performance. The surface is alive, each stroke a record of a decision, a feeling, a moment. Notice the vibrant color palette, the way he uses contrasting colors to create a sense of depth and energy. See how he renders the guard house on the right of the picture plane; it's like he's drawing with paint. This feels connected to the Russian avant-garde, like Malevich, maybe, but with a folksy twist. Ultimately, it's the kind of painting that reminds us that art is a conversation, an ongoing exploration, full of questions rather than answers.