Portrait of N.G. Aleksandrov 1914

Here we have 'Portrait of N.G. Aleksandrov', made with graphite on paper in 1914 by Boris Kustodiev. The rapid, almost frenetic quality of the marks suggest a process of searching and discovery. I am really drawn to the hatching that defines the form. It feels like the artist is feeling his way through the image, one line at a time, building tone and volume with these tiny marks. The lines around the eye and brow give the portrait a sense of depth and psychological intensity. The contrast between the dark, concentrated strokes in the face and bow tie, and the lighter, more tentative lines elsewhere creates a dynamic tension. It is like the artist is choosing what to emphasize and what to leave open. The way Kustodiev simplifies the form reminds me of Cezanne's drawings. Both artists use line to suggest volume and create a sense of structure. There's a real sense of visual intelligence at work here. Kustodiev invites us to participate in the act of seeing, to piece together the image in our own minds.