Portrait of a Pilot

The Leningrad painter Alexander Samokhvalov, organizer of the “Circle of Artists” association, was famous for his strong images of the heroes of the age. Students, athletes and workers were the new gods and goddesses of the modern age and he portrayed them as strong, powerfully-built figures who embodied action. The sense of power is the characteristic of the subject of this painting as well — the aviator who guards the airspace of the motherland trains a focused gaze into the distance. He is ready to confront any enemy with courage and determination.
Like many of his contemporaries, the artist addresses the theme of the “new man”, which was especially relevant in 1920–1930s. The overall impression of the painting is surprisingly metallic: the precise contours, the sharp contrast of light and shade, the composition and the specifics of the figure of the aviator evoke the idea of nerves of steel and an unbreakable character. The color and composition echo the artistic vocabulary of Samokhvalov’s teacher, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. The artist uses several techniques to create a complex dynamic space: he underlines the details of the profile and sets up a tense diagonal around the figure, while dramatically framing the geometry of the gesture. Samokhvalov’s sharp perspective is like an expressive gesture directed out to the future, conquering new frontiers beyond the canvas.

The Circle of Artists was an Artistic Association in Leningrad from 1926–1932, closely related to Society of Easel Painters in its style and ideology. In its search for a style to echo the era, it opposed narrative subjects, superficial sketching and undisciplined forms. Its members included Samokhvalov, Pakulin, Pakhomov, Rusakov and Zagoskin.

Paintings featured in this exhibition:

"Alexander Samokhvalov. 1894-1971" - The State Russian Museum - Saint-Petersburg, Russia (27.11.2014-02.02.2015);
"Russia on the Road.1920-1990" - Palazzo delle Esposizioni - Rome, Italy (29.09.2015 - 28.12.2015);
"Россия в пути. Самолётом, поездом, автомобилем" - The Institute of Russian Realist Art - Moscow, Russia (21.01.2016 - 23.05.2016).