Portrait of a peasant woman Ivan Kulikov (1875-1941)

Here we observe a drawing depicting a young woman, presumably from a rural background, rendered in charcoal on paper. The composition is straightforward: a bust-length portrait presented against a neutral, lightly textured background that allows the figures form and expression to dominate.
The artist has employed a loose, expressive technique. Lines are not precise but rather suggest volume and texture through varying degrees of pressure and smudging. This approach lends a sense of immediacy and naturalism to the depiction. The woman’s hair is rendered with flowing strokes that cascade around her shoulders, contributing to an overall impression of vitality and movement.
Her gaze is directed slightly off-center, conveying a quiet introspection rather than direct engagement with the viewer. Theres a subtle tension in her expression; it isnt overtly joyful or sorrowful but suggests a depth of feeling – perhaps resilience, perhaps weariness – that hints at a life lived close to the land and its hardships. The artist has paid particular attention to capturing the play of light across her face, emphasizing the contours of her cheekbones and the slight furrowing between her brows.
The limited tonal range reinforces the sense of realism; it avoids dramatic contrasts that might distract from the subject’s inherent dignity. The drawings simplicity – the lack of elaborate background or ornamentation – underscores the focus on the individual, elevating a seemingly ordinary person to the status of a compelling portrait. One can infer a desire to document and celebrate the character of rural life through this study of an individual face.