Leonid Afremov 47 Leonid Afremov (1955-)

The canvas presents a nocturnal urban scene, saturated with vibrant color and impasto texture. Here we observe a street illuminated by numerous lampposts, their light reflecting intensely in the wet pavement. The perspective draws the eye along a curving road that recedes into the distance, lined on both sides by trees whose foliage is rendered as dense patches of yellow, orange, and green. Buildings flank the street, their facades constructed from blocks of blue, purple, and red, contributing to the overall sense of chromatic intensity.
Several figures are present, depicted as dark silhouettes beneath umbrellas, adding a human element to the otherwise abstract composition. The rain is not explicitly shown but is strongly implied by the glistening surfaces and the reflections that dominate the foreground. A signpost on the left side of the painting introduces an element of recognizable urban signage, though its specific meaning remains obscured.
The artist’s technique emphasizes emotional impact over precise representation. The thick application of paint creates a palpable sense of energy and movement, while the exaggerated color palette evokes a feeling of heightened reality or dreamlike atmosphere. The dominance of warm tones – yellows, oranges, reds – suggests warmth and vitality despite the rainy setting.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of solitude and urban anonymity. While the scene is visually arresting, the figures are reduced to anonymous shapes, suggesting a sense of isolation within the bustling city environment. The reflections in the wet pavement could be interpreted as representing fragmented perceptions or distorted realities. Ultimately, the work conveys an impression of beauty found within the everyday, transforming a commonplace rainy street into a spectacle of light and color.