yellow face (female face). 1921 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The portrait presents a frontal view of a young woman, her gaze directed squarely at the viewer. Her skin tone is rendered in shades of ochre and umber, creating a striking visual effect that dominates the composition. The artist has employed a limited palette; yellows, browns, reds, and blacks are the primary colors used to construct both the figure and the background.
The woman’s hair is dark, cropped short, and falls forward across her forehead, partially obscuring her eyebrows. Her eyes, deeply set and framed by heavy lids, convey an impression of introspection or perhaps even melancholy. The mouth is small and tightly closed, contributing to a sense of restraint and quietude. One hand rests on the cheek, further emphasizing this contemplative mood.
The background appears as a dark, indistinct plane, which serves to isolate the figure and intensify her presence. Brushstrokes are visible throughout, suggesting an expressive application of paint rather than a smooth, polished finish. The texture is rough, adding to the overall sense of immediacy and emotional intensity.
Subtly, there’s a tension between the directness of the gaze and the closed-off nature of the expression. This duality might suggest a complex inner life or a deliberate withholding of information. The use of an unusual skin tone could be interpreted as a symbolic gesture – perhaps representing resilience, cultural identity, or even a challenge to conventional beauty standards. The pose itself, with the hand pressed against the face, evokes feelings of vulnerability and introspection, inviting speculation about the woman’s thoughts and experiences. Ultimately, the painting leaves room for multiple interpretations, prompting viewers to engage actively with its emotional depth.