tverskoi boulevard 1917 Aristarkh Lentulov (1882-1943)

The composition presents a fractured urban scene, rendered in a style characterized by angular forms and a restricted palette dominated by reds, browns, blues, and whites. The artist has eschewed traditional perspective; instead, spatial relationships are conveyed through overlapping planes and abrupt shifts in viewpoint. A prominent red block dominates the lower portion of the canvas, its sharp edges creating a sense of visual tension. Above this, fragmented architectural elements suggest buildings or facades, their surfaces broken into geometric shapes.
The arrangement feels less like a depiction of a specific location and more like an exploration of urban experience – a sensory overload translated into abstract form. The figures are reduced to simplified silhouettes, almost swallowed by the surrounding structures; they appear anonymous and detached, contributing to a feeling of alienation or societal disruption. A dark figure stands in profile on the right side, seemingly observing the scene with a sense of distance.
The color choices contribute significantly to the overall mood. The prevalence of red evokes feelings of intensity, perhaps even agitation or unrest. The muted blues and browns suggest a somber atmosphere, while the occasional flashes of white offer brief moments of visual relief. There is an absence of clear narrative; instead, the painting seems to focus on capturing a particular emotional state – a sense of disorientation and fragmentation that might reflect societal upheaval or psychological turmoil.
The work’s power lies in its ability to evoke a feeling rather than present a literal representation. The fractured forms and dissonant colors suggest a world undergoing profound change, where traditional structures are collapsing and individual identities are dissolving into the collective experience.