Girls on the Volga. 1915 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

In the painting Girls on the Volga by K. Petrov-Vodkin, created in 1915, we see a group of women and a young child near a body of water, likely the Volga River, indicated by the blue expanse stretching across the background. The scene is set on a sandy or dusty shore, rendered in warm, earthy tones.
The central figures are five young women, depicted in various states of dress and activity. One woman on the far left, wearing a white top and a flowing blue skirt, is in the process of changing her attire, with red fabric pooled at her feet. To her right, another woman in a yellow blouse and a vibrant pink skirt is adjusting her hair. A third woman, centrally positioned, wears a blue vest over a white undergarment and a long red skirt, holding a red shawl in her hand. Further to the right, a woman in a pink top and a blue skirt looks towards the viewer, and beside her stands a small, naked child, looking directly at the viewer with a somewhat solemn expression. In the background, other figures, less defined, can be seen among trees and hills, suggesting a wider community gathering.
The painting employs a distinctive style with flattened perspectives and bold, saturated colors, characteristic of Petrov-Vodkins work. The composition is balanced, with the figures arranged in a somewhat staggered, frieze-like manner. The lighting is soft and diffused, contributing to the overall dreamlike and idealized atmosphere.
The subtexts of the painting can be interpreted in several ways. The title, Girls on the Volga, evokes a sense of youthful innocence and the simple life connected to this iconic Russian river. The act of changing clothes could symbolize a transition, perhaps from one season to another, or even a metaphorical shift in life stages. The presence of the naked child alongside the women might suggest themes of maternity, fertility, and the continuation of life. The overall calm and somewhat static poses of the women, despite their actions, along with the idealized portrayal, lend a timeless and evocative quality, hinting at a moment of quiet contemplation or communal peace. The bright colors and the serene setting contribute to a feeling of optimism and beauty, possibly reflecting a desire for renewal or a harmonious existence, especially considering the historical context of 1915, on the cusp of major global upheaval.