#15131 Pavel Filonov (1883-1941)

The composition presents a densely populated scene dominated by animal figures, primarily bovine in nature. These creatures are not rendered naturalistically; instead, they appear fragmented and reconstructed through angular planes and sharp geometric forms. The artist employed a palette of intense hues – blues, reds, yellows, and browns – applied in fractured brushstrokes that contribute to the overall sense of dynamism and visual complexity.
Here we see a multitude of faces peering out from within the mass of bodies. These are not portraits in any conventional sense; rather, they seem to be masks or archetypes, their expressions ranging from stoic to vaguely unsettling. The eyes, particularly, possess an unnerving quality, suggesting observation and perhaps judgment.
The spatial relationships within the painting are ambiguous. There is no clear foreground or background; instead, figures overlap and interpenetrate one another, creating a claustrophobic effect. This flattening of space contributes to the sense that the scene exists in a dreamlike or symbolic realm rather than a concrete location. The use of perspective is distorted, further enhancing this feeling of disorientation.
Subtly embedded within the chaotic arrangement are hints of architectural elements – suggested by the angularity and repetition of forms – but these remain indistinct and contribute to the overall sense of fragmentation. A red band runs horizontally across the lower portion of the canvas, acting as a visual anchor but also reinforcing the feeling of confinement.
The painting seems to explore themes of collective identity, perhaps suggesting a community or group bound together by shared experience, yet simultaneously fractured and alienated. The animalistic imagery could be interpreted as representing primal instincts or repressed desires. The unsettling nature of the faces hints at underlying anxieties or psychological turmoil. Overall, the work conveys a sense of unease and disorientation, inviting contemplation on themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of human interaction.