First sketch of the painting in 1919. Anxiety. 1925 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The drawing presents a domestic interior, rendered in a monochromatic palette that emphasizes tonal contrasts and creates a sense of subdued drama. Here we see two figures positioned near a doorway, their bodies angled towards something beyond the frame. The figure on the left raises a hand to his forehead, mimicking a gesture of saluting or shielding the eyes, while the other appears to be gesturing outwards as well. Their postures suggest an interaction with someone or something unseen, imbuing the scene with a palpable tension.
The room itself is sparsely furnished. A table draped with a cloth sits prominently in the foreground, upon which rests what seems to be a samovar and two glasses. The presence of these objects hints at a moment interrupted – a domestic ritual abruptly paused by whatever has captured the figures’ attention. Light streams through a window on the left side of the composition, illuminating portions of the floorboards and casting long shadows that contribute to the overall atmosphere of unease. A potted plant sits on the windowsill, offering a small element of naturalism within the confined space.
The architectural elements – the doorway, the window frame, the vertical lines of the walls – are delineated with precision, creating a sense of enclosure and confinement. The starkness of the room reinforces the feeling that something significant is occurring, something that disrupts the ordinary flow of domestic life. The absence of color intensifies this effect, stripping away any potential for visual distraction and focusing attention on the figures’ gestures and their implied interaction with an external force.
Subtly, the drawing conveys a sense of apprehension or anxiety. The posture of the figures, the abrupt interruption of a seemingly mundane activity, and the overall somber tone all contribute to this feeling. It is possible that the unseen element beyond the doorway represents a threat, a disruption of order, or perhaps even a symbol of impending change – a notion particularly resonant given the historical context of its creation in the aftermath of significant societal upheaval. The drawing doesnt offer explicit answers but rather invites contemplation on themes of uncertainty and vulnerability within the confines of personal space.