Self-Portrait With Hen and Rooster Boris Grigoriev (1886-1939)

The composition presents a central figure dominating the foreground, rendered with a pronounced sense of realism bordering on caricature. The individuals face is marked by deep lines and wrinkles, suggesting age and perhaps hardship; the expression conveys a mixture of defiance and weariness. A traditional head covering frames the face, contributing to an overall impression of rural or folk identity. The figure wears a vibrant red garment adorned with intricate embroidery around the collar, which provides a striking contrast against the muted earth tones of the background.
To the left, a disembodied female head appears, also framed by a similar head covering. This spectral presence is positioned close to the central figure, creating an unsettling sense of proximity and perhaps suggesting a connection – familial, spiritual, or symbolic – that remains ambiguous. A second, similarly rendered female head floats on the right side of the composition, mirroring the placement of the first. The repetition reinforces a theme of duality or multiplicity within the work.
Behind these figures, a landscape unfolds, populated with animals: a rooster stands prominently, alongside a hen and what appears to be a deer in the distance. These creatures are depicted with a degree of naturalism that contrasts with the stylized rendering of the human subjects. The background is rendered in broad strokes of ochre and brown, creating a hazy atmosphere that obscures detail and contributes to a sense of dreamlike unreality.
The artist’s hand extends towards the viewer, as if offering or gesturing; this direct engagement invites contemplation but also creates a barrier between observer and subject. The brush held in the figures other hand suggests an act of creation, hinting at the self-reflexive nature of portraiture itself.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of identity, tradition, and perhaps even mortality. The juxtaposition of realistic detail with surreal elements generates a sense of unease and invites multiple interpretations. The presence of animals could symbolize fertility or primal instincts, while the repeated female heads might represent ancestral connections or internal struggles. Ultimately, the work resists easy categorization, presenting instead a complex and layered exploration of selfhood within a specific cultural context.