Mother 1913

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin made this painting, Mother, with oil paints in an unknown year. The way Petrov-Vodkin has handled the paint feels so process-driven, each brushstroke seems like a building block. The ochre field in the background is built from transparent layers. See how the blue of the mountains in the background glows through? There's a strong sense of the materiality of the paint itself. In contrast, the mother’s red skirt is more opaque, creating a contrast with the thinner washes in the background. The folds in the fabric are suggested with simple, elegant strokes. Look closely and you can see the texture of the canvas coming through in places. This painting reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker's maternal figures, especially in its groundedness and earthy palette. Both artists use the image of the mother and child to explore themes of connection, nature, and the human experience.