Leonid Afremov 7 Leonid Afremov (1955-)

The canvas presents a nocturnal urban scene dominated by vibrant color and impasto technique. Here we observe a waterway flanked by buildings, likely in a European city, rendered with thick, expressive brushstrokes that create a palpable sense of texture and movement. The palette is overwhelmingly warm – yellows, oranges, reds, and golds – interspersed with cooler blues and purples to define shadows and reflections.
The composition directs the eye along the waterway, which acts as a central axis. Several small boats are moored along the bank, their white hulls providing visual contrast against the surrounding warmth. A stone bridge arches over the water, its form softened by the application of paint. The buildings lining the canal exhibit varied heights and architectural details, though these are largely subsumed within the energetic brushwork. Street lamps punctuate the scene with pools of light, contributing to a festive atmosphere.
The artist’s use of color is not representational; instead, it serves an emotional purpose. The intense hues evoke feelings of warmth, joy, and perhaps even nostalgia. The reflections in the water are distorted and fragmented, suggesting a dreamlike quality or a subjective perception of reality. The impasto technique amplifies this effect, creating a surface that seems to vibrate with energy.
Subtly, theres an element of melancholy present within the exuberance. The darkness surrounding the scene – the black border – creates a sense of isolation and enclosure. While the light is abundant, it feels contained, as if illuminating a small pocket of happiness amidst a larger, unknown expanse. This juxtaposition suggests a fleeting moment of beauty or contentment, perhaps tinged with an awareness of its impermanence. The absence of human figures further enhances this feeling; we are presented with a scene observed rather than experienced, reinforcing the sense of distance and contemplation.