Artwork
Sergei Esenin (1895–1925) as a Youth
Sergei Esenin (1895–1925) as a Youth is a charcoal painting by the Realist artist Boris Grigoriev. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Boris Grigoriev, a Russian artist recognized for his painting, graphic work, and writing, completed *Sergei Esenin (1895–1925) as a Youth* in 1923. This gouache painting captures the poet Sergei Esenin during his younger years, rendered with a realist approach. The work is presently housed within the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a young boy, identified as the poet Sergei Esenin, with blonde hair and dressed in a red shirt, holding a book. He appears contemplative, seemingly lost in thought amidst a vibrant garden. Beyond the immediate lush greenery, a village scene unfolds under a blue sky, populated with houses and figures, providing a contextual backdrop to the pensive youth.
Technique & Style
Grigoriev utilized gouache paint for this work, a medium that imparts a distinct texture and vividness to the surface.
Grigoriev utilized gouache paint for this work, a medium that imparts a distinct texture and vividness to the surface. The painting exemplifies the realism movement through its careful observation and depiction of forms. The artist's meticulous execution is evident in the intricate details observed in the architectural elements of the distant village and the attire of its inhabitants, contributing to the overall depth and visual richness.
Artist & collection
Artist
Boris Grigoriev (Russian: Бори́с Дми́триевич Григо́рьев; 11 July 1886 – 7 February 1939) was a painter, graphic artist, and writer.
