Summer romance
1987, 26"x34", tempera on heavy paper
$4900.00
Dating Scene in Provincial Russia: Where Vodka and Awkward Silences Reign Supreme
This 1987 original tempera painting, titled "Summer Romance," offers a satirical and stylized glimpse into social life in provincial Russia. Measuring 26"x34" on heavy paper, the work uses a muted, earthy color palette to depict a crowded, somewhat grotesque scene of interaction.
Composition and Figures
The painting is dominated by several figures in the foreground, their features exaggerated in a manner reminiscent of social realism blended with caricature:
The Central Figure: A large woman in a red and yellow top with a dark beaded necklace. She holds a stringed instrument, likely a domra or mandolin, and a small clutch of red flowers. Her expression is mid-utterance, suggesting she might be singing or speaking loudly.
The Suitor: To her right, a smaller, older man in a green vest, white shirt, and blue tie gazes up at her with an awkward, eager grin.
The Observers: Other figures crowd the frame, including a woman with a skeptical expression peering over the man's shoulder and a profile of a man on the far left. Their cramped positioning enhances the feeling of a public, perhaps judgmental, communal space.
Setting and Background
The background provides a sense of place through architectural and environmental details:
Provincial Architecture: Behind the group are simple wooden and stone buildings, including small sheds and a larger structure with arched windows that suggests a traditional Russian town.
Secondary Action: In the upper right, a couple walks through a fenced yard, and a solitary figure stands in a doorway to the left, adding layers of narrative to the "dating scene."
Atmosphere: The use of tempera gives the piece a matte, flat finish. The sky is a murky blue-grey, contributing to the "awkward" and gritty atmosphere mentioned in the descriptive title provided.
Technical Details
Year: 1987
Medium: Tempera on heavy paper
Dimensions: 26" x 34"
Price: $4,900.00
The artist's signature and the date ('87) are visible in the bottom center-right, integrated into the folds of the central figure's blue skirt.