A Girl with a Churn (Morning in a Village)

In 1916-1919 Grigoriev created a series of graphic works (Raseya), and then turned several images of this cycle into paintings. All characters by Grigoriev are full of grotesque. It is not deliberate angry sarcasm, but a chuckle of the artist trying to understand dramatic changes that came to Russia with the Revolution of 1917.

The eyes of the girls from the paintings by Grigoriev are not childish at all. In their looks one can see a hidden question: how does the new reality “that broke the mooring of space and time” coincide with flowers on the windowsills, shaggy dogs, peasants’ labor, and warm baked bread. A combination of artistic realism, close attention to personalities, to the people as a combination of millions of inner worlds, and to the world in general is a characteristic feature of Grigoriev’s personal style.

We present today's painting thanks to the State Russian Museum.  : )

P.S. Check out other highlights from the State Russian Museum here.