Daughter of the artist. 1933 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The portrait presents a young individual, likely a child, facing directly toward the viewer. The composition is straightforward: a close-up bust against a blurred and indistinct background. The subjects gaze is intense, almost confrontational; their expression appears serious, perhaps even slightly melancholic.
The artist employed a loose, expressive brushstroke throughout the work. This technique lends a sense of immediacy and vitality to the depiction, while also softening the edges and contours of the figure. Color plays a significant role in shaping the mood. Warm tones – reds, browns, and yellows – dominate the face and upper body, suggesting an inner warmth or resilience. These are juxtaposed with cooler hues – blues and greens – in the background and within the shadows, creating visual depth and preventing the composition from feeling flat.
The clothing is rendered simply, without detailed elaboration; it appears to be a collared shirt and jacket, contributing to a sense of understated formality. The indistinct nature of the backdrop pushes the focus entirely onto the subject, emphasizing their presence and psychological state.
Subtly, theres an ambiguity in the portrayal that resists easy categorization. While the child’s features are rendered with precision, the overall effect is not one of idealized beauty. Instead, a sense of quiet introspection prevails. The directness of the gaze suggests a certain maturity or awareness beyond what might be expected from a young person. This could imply themes of responsibility, resilience, or perhaps even an early exposure to hardship – a reading that would resonate particularly strongly given the historical context of the work’s creation.

The signature in the lower left corner is small and somewhat obscured, but its presence anchors the image within a specific artistic practice and timeframe.