Lilac Boris Kustodiev (1878-1927)

Description of the painting "Lilacs" by Boris Kustodiev

The paintings of the artist Boris Kustodiev are not difficult to recognize by his unique style of their execution. He used soft but bright colors and whitewashing, and as a result his paintings were memorable for their specific color scheme and unusual compositional techniques.

Kustodiev loved to portray simple and bright scenes from human life: working life, folk festivals or simply nice days. Often in his paintings the author described real moments from his own life. The canvas called "Lilac" is one of them.

Before the viewer’s eyes there is a picture of a clear day in late spring. The sun’s rays are generously lavishing the earth, warming and illuminating everything around. The lush green grass, the wooden house and fence, and the sprawling tall lilac bush fill the air with a unique clean fragrance that is found only in the villages. By the blossoming curly lilac flowers, it is clear that the action takes place in early May.

A beautiful young woman emerges from a half-open gate, holding her infant daughter in her arms. It is a beautiful day, and it is a good time to take your child for a walk in nature. Her snow-white dress with a puffed skirt, collar and sleeves give her image a lofty and graceful touch. The woman’s thick blond hair is pulled up into a neat bun.

The baby, who is in her mother’s arms, is also dressed in a puffy light dress with blue stripes. A white bonnet protects her head from the occasional scorching rays of the spring sun.

Family was the great happiness in the life of the artist Kustodiev. On this canvas, in 1906, he depicted his beloved wife Julia with their little daughter. Perhaps that’s why the picture is filled with so many touching emotions. Feelings of tenderness, care and warmth certainly begin to be transmitted and the viewer looking at the picture.