Moscow tavern Boris Kustodiev (1878-1927)
Boris Kustodiev – Moscow tavern
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Painter: Boris Kustodiev
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1915 was the time when Boris Mikhailovich Kustoediev was actively in Moscow, studying all its colors and the backstreets of ceremonial life. It was there that the artist became acquainted with such a special place imbued with the spirit of Moscow as a tavern. The tavern in Moscow is a unique place, a place where people are used to talk, relax, share the news, and discuss something that is not customary in the wide expanses of the great white stone of Moscow. This is exactly how we see the inn in the painting by the artist Kustodiev.
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Description of Boris Kustodiev’s painting "Moscow Inn".
1915 was the time when Boris Mikhailovich Kustoediev was actively in Moscow, studying all its colors and the backstreets of ceremonial life. It was there that the artist became acquainted with such a special place imbued with the spirit of Moscow as a tavern. The tavern in Moscow is a unique place, a place where people are used to talk, relax, share the news, and discuss something that is not customary in the wide expanses of the great white stone of Moscow.
This is exactly how we see the inn in the painting by the artist Kustodiev. Elegant, graceful and festively flamboyant waiters, as we would call them today, are serving tea to Muscovites and swirling around them in a desire to please and make their stay in this tavern special. One can see both hospitality and generosity of the Russian soul here.
The bright interior of this tavern is the first thing that catches the eye. Its red walls and vaulted ceilings take us into the atmosphere of an old Russian fairy tale. People stand out against this background, and the artist has also given them an important role in his composition. The noble men in blue clothes talk about something important, all this tea party looks like some kind of mystery behind the scenes of Moscow lavish life.
The action depicted in the painting takes place before Easter, the viewer is told about this by a verbena sprig stuck into the wooden image. The powerful spirit of the Russian man is conveyed in this incredible in its power of perception picture. The central group of people, as mentioned earlier, has a very important appearance, but from the shape of their clothes we can conclude that they belong to what is known as a carriage driver. This goes against the common perceptions of the people of that profession, and undoubtedly elevates them, for which Kustodiev has a special thanks. At their tea party they are resting from their hard work, they are thinking about something evidently pleasant - it cannot be otherwise in such a hospitable atmosphere! Beneath the image sits, apparently, the elder of the group.
The cages hanging from the ceiling carefully hold the birds, which serve as a kind of musical decoration for this building. Everything depicted by Kustodiev is fabulous and magical, showing the breadth of the Russian soul and devotion to native traditions.
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The individuals seated at the table are dressed in varied attire; some wear dark suits with blue accents, while others sport white shirts and aprons suggesting service roles. Their expressions range from animated conversation to quiet contemplation, contributing to a sense of lived experience within this setting. A central figure, distinguished by his beard and formal jacket, seems to be engaged in a particularly intense discussion.
Behind the table, a built-in shelving unit is filled with ceramic vessels and what appear to be foodstuffs, indicating provisions for sustenance or sale. Above, a glimpse into the kitchen area reveals a server attending to a large cauldron suspended over a fire. A cat rests near the foreground, adding a touch of domesticity to the scene.
The lighting within the space is uneven; it seems to originate primarily from an unseen source above and behind the table, casting shadows that deepen the sense of enclosure. The floorboards are rendered with meticulous detail, contributing to the overall realism of the depiction.
Subtleties in the arrangement suggest a narrative beyond mere documentation. The intense color palette might symbolize warmth or perhaps even confinement, while the varied expressions on the figures’ faces hint at complex social dynamics and unspoken stories. The presence of both patrons and servers implies a hierarchical structure within this communal space. Overall, the painting conveys an impression of a bustling, intimate gathering place, rich in character and imbued with a sense of historical specificity.