Михайловское. Домик Няни А.С. Пушкина Арины Родионовны. 1936

Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulya captured this rustic scene with oil on canvas, likely en plein air, embracing the immediacy of the moment. The painting seems to ripple with autumnal light, thick strokes of yellow, ochre, and earthy browns conjure a sense of warmth that radiates from the little house. I imagine the artist, braving the elements, palette in hand, trying to capture the ephemeral dance of light and shadow on the wooden walls and the golden leaves. The paint is applied with such physicality, you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the canvas, building up layers of texture to recreate the rough bark of the tree and the weathered surfaces of the cottage. I am drawn to the way the yellow leaves are articulated. They almost vibrate, creating a visual echo of the unseen wind. In this painting, the everyday becomes extraordinary and offers a glimpse into the artist’s inner world.