#15134 Pavel Filonov (1883-1941)

The composition presents a domestic interior disrupted by figures seemingly detached from reality. A central table dominates the foreground, set for what appears to be a meal. Around it are arranged several individuals, their postures and expressions conveying a sense of unease or detachment rather than conviviality. The man seated at the head of the table is sharply angled towards the viewer, his gaze fixed on an unseen point, while the woman opposite him seems lost in her own thoughts. An older gentleman to his left holds a cup, his face etched with a solemnity that contrasts with the overall atmosphere.
Flanking this central group are figures whose presence defies easy categorization. They appear as spectral or angelic beings, their bodies elongated and distorted, their faces bearing expressions of either sorrow or ecstatic contemplation. One figure in red seems to be reaching out, while another, draped in blue, holds a small object aloft. These ethereal presences introduce an element of the supernatural into the mundane setting, suggesting a blurring of boundaries between the earthly and the divine.
The color palette is striking, with bold reds, blues, and yellows creating a heightened sense of emotional intensity. The use of flat planes and simplified forms contributes to a stylized aesthetic that prioritizes symbolic meaning over realistic representation. A black cat sits at the left edge of the table while a dog rests near the front of the composition, both animals seemingly unaffected by the strange events unfolding around them.
The arrangement of objects further complicates the interpretation. Above the central group hangs a shelf displaying small figurines or icons, hinting at religious devotion or perhaps a yearning for spiritual solace. A vase filled with flowers sits on the table, offering a touch of natural beauty amidst the unsettling scene. The overall effect is one of psychological tension and symbolic ambiguity, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of faith, mortality, and the fragility of human existence.