Soldier in a Wood
About this artwork
This painting was discovered in a locked attic in Larionov's Paris flat in about 1960, and was purchased directly from the artist in 1962. It was probably painted around 1911 when Larionov was doing his military service, hence the subject matter. The painting combines elements from both fauvist art and traditional Russian folk art, in the flattened, simplified design, bold brushwork and deliberately naïve manner of representation. In particular, the way in which the horse is painted and the use of black outlines around the figure are derived from popular woodblock prints known as 'lubok.'
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:Soldier in a Wood
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date created:About 1911
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:84.50 x 91.40 cm (framed: 99.10 x 92.40 x 6.00 cm)
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased with funds given by two anonymous donors 1962
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accession number:GMA 799
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gallery:
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subject:
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photographer:Antonia Reeve
Mikhail Larionov
Mikhail Larionov
Larionov was born near Odessa and studied art in Moscow, where he met his lifelong companion Natalya Goncharova. As a leading figure in the Russian avant-garde, Larionov helped develop the Russian ‘Neo-Primitive’ movement. He first visited France in 1906 and was influenced by the Fauvist artists, combining elements of Fauvism…
