Palace, a sketch for E. Zamyatin's play, 'The Flea' 1925

This is Boris Kustodiev's stage design for 'The Flea,' probably made on paper with gouache or tempera paint. Look at those colours, that red! It's almost cartoonish in its boldness and clarity, like he’s laying down a dream for us. There's something theatrical about the way Kustodiev handles the paint. It’s not about hiding the process; it's about presenting a world. Notice how the paint sits on the surface, a little dry, a little chalky. I love the way he’s used these colours to create a sense of depth and space. And the lines! How they wobble and dance, giving the whole thing a sense of movement and life. The palm trees, for instance – a few quick strokes and suddenly we’re in this strange, exotic place. It's like Kustodiev is winking at us, letting us in on the joke. Kustodiev reminds me of some of the Russian folk artists, full of humour, irony, and a love of the absurd. And just like them, he leaves plenty of room for our own interpretation.