Summer holiday 1922

Boris Kustodiev painted this scene, called ‘Summer Holiday,’ with oils, and you can tell he really relished the process. There's a soft, dreamy quality to the scene. The paint isn't overworked, instead it feels like he's trying to capture a fleeting moment, like a memory that’s not quite in focus. The clouds are built up with such thick paint that they really do seem to be floating above the town. The contrast between the dense clouds and the thin washes used for the sky create a wonderful tension in the piece. And look at that green in the trees – a juicy, bright green, dashed with yellows and blues. It vibrates with life! It's the kind of color that makes you want to be there, breathing in the fresh air and joining the festivities. It makes me think of Pierre Bonnard, capturing the beauty of everyday life with a similar joy and warmth. What is so wonderful about a painting like this is the invitation to relax and enjoy it, without having to overthink it.