Pancake week Boris Kustodiev (1878-1927)
Boris Kustodiev – Pancake week
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Painter: Boris Kustodiev
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The Pancake Day painting was painted in the Art Nouveau style, by the Russian artist B.M. Kustodiev in 1916. All the events in the picture are taking place on the main square of the provincial town. In the foreground of the picture you can see people sledding in a painted sledge pulled by a pair of festively decorated horses with bells and an arch with bells. On the cheeks of the people, ruddy from the frost, smiles, joy, laughter.
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Description of Boris Kustodiev’s painting "Maslenitsa
The Pancake Day painting was painted in the Art Nouveau style, by the Russian artist B.M. Kustodiev in 1916. All the events in the picture are taking place on the main square of the provincial town. In the foreground of the picture you can see people sledding in a painted sledge pulled by a pair of festively decorated horses with bells and an arch with bells.
On the cheeks of the people, ruddy from the frost, smiles, joy, laughter. Nearby, merchants are seated selling their wares and you can see the townspeople strolling by. The driver is barely holding back the three horses. You can see the happy kids skating down the hill, flying snowballs from the boys’ fight. Below is a bustling carousel, a noisy fair and crowds of people strolling then going shopping then watching the show. Also visible are a few more sledges, conveying the masses of holiday cheerfulness.
Winter colorful landscape serves as a great backdrop for the picture. The artist uses an amazing palette of colors: turquoise, blue, gold and red shades. A parade of bright colors: pink and gold clouds are spread over an emerald green sky; the snow overflows with delicate blues, pinks and pale lilacs. Red and green patterns are used for the shades of the sleigh.
The church, surrounded by trees, is painted in light colors. These colors were not chosen by chance, they emit a conveyance of relationship to justice and faith, because white is a sign of kindness and purity. The bright sun is contrasted against the background of the snowy shroud. The snow sparkles in the sun and hoarfrost flakes fall from the trees, and its amount in the picture makes it look like a winter ornament.
Looking at the painting, one gets the feeling of being present at this festive festivity. It conveys the impressive warmth of this holiday. It is very optimistic and fully conveys the moments of Shrovetide festivities.
COMMENTS: 1 Ответы
MERCHANT
1
Bearded, God-fearing,
Spends three hours in prayer,
Doesnt see any prospects,
Otherwise – everything is predetermined,
A lie! Thats a merchant,
Diligent, stubborn,
A decent fellow who has lived a bit,
Who has had his fill.
Easily goes to the grave.
2
In the depths of Pechersk,
There is a dark haze thicker than any forest.
A goblin leads astray those over forty,
Or approaching sixty. The goblin is stern.
But earthly oil matures –
Will you reach for it, merchant?
He drives barges full of goods,
The river flows along the edge of the forest.
A large house, very reliable shutters,
And in the prayer room, a measured light shines.
Candlelight, lamps, all this is beautiful.
But theres somehow no meaning to life.
Sturdy... To be strong, sturdy,
To truly know oneself, barely possible.
In the end – it doesnt matter to be rich,
Sharply, with a sense of darkness, one realizes this.
3
Merchants are like a kind of priesthood,
Money is an altar in the temple of merchants.
4
A squinting look, hair slicked back,
Hes deceitful, grasping, a supplier.
If the fruits of profit become clear,
Dont be a fool.
The barges are loaded with various goods,
And the water foams around them.
A merchant – he knows your needs,
But is almost always greedy.
5
In a secluded corner... the whole city climbs from the ravine
Upwards, houses with mezzanines –
A millionaire and a flour miller, very
Stern in nature...
In the old church, theres an iconostasis –
And someone who has been fasting for thirty days bows reverently.
Hes sharp in trade, deals with business,
Then breaks down, throws money around,
Lives recklessly, a hostage to passions.
6
He conducted his affairs shrewdly, was stern, authoritative,
In the merchant club, after drinking, he sang,
He only ate pickled cabbage as a snack,
He considered himself respected by fate.
He added passenger shipping to trade,
And drank more and more, delved deeper into debauchery,
Was stern, authoritative,
Thought deeply, became overwhelmed by thoughts.
Donated to the monastery, prayed there.
But his heart was heavy.
And the money – always more money.
7
Slightly dusty in the office,
The father is strict, and the son is withdrawn.
Whose voice is that in the corridor?
Someone enters, businesslike.
The son, with his mouth agape, listens
To the conversation, a listless son.
He pushes a fly with a feather.
Autumn. It would be right to say – melancholy,
But such luxury is not for a merchant.
A dull light outside the window is like fog.
The merchants reply is sharp.
You cannot comment Why?
In the middle ground, a bustling fair or carnival is in full swing. There are stalls, a circular merry-go-round, and a crowd of people gathered, suggesting a festive atmosphere. Beyond the fair, the town unfolds with snow-covered buildings, many of them featuring onion domes characteristic of Russian architecture, along with church spires. White snow blankets everything, creating a sense of pristine purity, while smoke rises from chimneys, indicating signs of life and warmth within the dwellings.
The background reveals a distant cityscape softened by the winter haze and the warm hues of a sunset or sunrise painting the sky. Silhouettes of trees, heavily laden with snow, frame the scene on the sides, adding depth and a sense of being immersed in a winter landscape. Numerous small birds are depicted flying in the sky, adding a dynamic element to the composition.
The subtext of the painting is deeply rooted in the Russian tradition of Maslenitsa, also known as Butter Week or Pancake Week. This is a religious and folk holiday celebrated in the last week before Great Lent. It signifies the end of winter and the welcome of spring, and is characterized by feasting, particularly the consumption of blini (pancakes), which symbolize the sun. The painting captures the joyous and social spirit of this celebration, with people indulging in outdoor activities, entertainment, and community gatherings before the Lenten period of fasting and reflection begins. The overall mood is one of exuberance, abundance, and transition, with the vibrant colors of the sky contrasting with the white snow, perhaps hinting at the coming renewal of spring.