Kustodiyev Boris – Beauty. 1915 900 Classic russian paintings

In Boris Kustodiyevs 1915 painting Beauty, a voluptuous nude woman with fair skin and auburn hair reclines on a bed adorned with intricate pillows and a pink satin comforter. Her gaze is directed at the viewer with a direct and confident expression, and her hand gently covers her breast. The background features a rich blue wallpaper with a repeating pattern of roses and stylized motifs, and a dark wooden dresser with decorative objects. The bed itself rests on ornate chests decorated with brightly colored floral designs, possibly khokhloma, a traditional Russian wood painting style. A small, colorful cushion with a painted landscape supports her foot.
The painting can be interpreted as a celebration of sensuality and opulent beauty. The womans full figure, emphasized by the soft lighting and generous curves, aligns with historical ideals of abundance and health. The lavishness of the setting – the detailed textiles, the decorative chests, and the overall richness of color – reinforces this sense of luxury and sensuality. The wallpapers floral pattern might symbolize fertility and the abundance of nature, further enhancing the themes of life and vitality.
Kustodiyevs portrayal of this woman challenges conventional notions of beauty prevalent in Western art at the time, which often favored slender figures. Instead, he presents a powerful and self-assured subject, exuding a sense of comfort and owning her sensuality. The direct gaze suggests an invitation to appreciate her form without hesitation or shame, and the overall composition conveys a sense of intimate luxury and contented sensuality. The painting can be seen as a tribute to the enduring power and beauty of the female form, presented in a distinctly Russian context with its characteristic folk art elements.