The first step 1932

Curator: Pyotr Konchalovsky’s “The First Step,” painted in 1932, is an intimate oil on canvas showcasing a mother supporting her young child taking their first steps. Editor: Aw, there’s something so tender and nerve-wracking about that moment, isn’t there? I feel like the painter has caught the suspense beautifully—the babe looks so unsure yet eager! Curator: The painting immediately calls to mind depictions of familial life often found within the genre of Social Realism which focuses on reflecting everyday experiences back to a broad audience. Notice the solidity and groundedness of the figures, reflecting the strength of community values. Editor: Definitely, I feel the heft. It’s all solid shapes and honest depiction—almost earthy, don't you think? There’s none of that soaring sentimentality, it feels human-scale, you know? Look at the rough texture; you sense the coarse fabric of the mom's clothes. What strikes me most are her bare feet. Curator: The bare feet have resonance. It invites thoughts of Russian peasantry; perhaps it functions as a direct link to their past. By foregoing typical idealized images of mothers, Konchalovsky’s focus may have been on representing the reality of working-class Soviet women. Editor: Interesting. I was going to say there is just something incredibly honest about that decision... perhaps even raw, but seeing it as tied to a political statement, to social realism…makes sense. But you know, whether conscious or not, there’s still such warmth. The tender apprehension—every parent must recognize the universal human symbolism there. Curator: Exactly! It really gets at what is universally recognized, this tender exchange rendered through very specific visual markers. Editor: Well, now I’m off to call my mom. I owe her for all those first steps... and for believing in me.