Kuntsevo. Cottage. 1919

Pyotr Konchalovsky made this painting using oil on canvas. The visible brushstrokes give it a sense of immediacy, as though we're standing right alongside the artist. There's a directness in how Konchalovsky has applied the paint, capturing the weight and substance of the cottage and the surrounding foliage. Look closely, and you'll notice the way the paint is layered, thick in some areas and thinner in others, adding depth to the scene. It shows a clear awareness of the painting's surface, which is not being disguised, but emphasized. Konchalovsky was part of the Russian avant-garde, but he embraced a more representational style, reflecting a broader shift in the art world during the early 20th century. He took cues from the earlier Impressionist movement, giving everyday scenes a modern edge. This approach challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and it prompts us to consider how materials and making shape our understanding of the artwork.