1919. Anxiety. 1934 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The painting depicts a domestic interior scene at dusk or night, evoking a sense of unease. A woman stands centrally, her arm around a young girl who looks directly at the viewer with a somber expression. The woman gazes towards a man in the background, who is looking out of a window, his back to the scene. His posture suggests tension or apprehension. To the right, a baby sleeps in a crib, seemingly oblivious to the atmosphere.
The setting is somewhat sparse and possibly impoverished. A table holds a few items, including a newspaper with Cyrillic lettering. The overall color palette is dominated by reds and muted tones, contributing to a somber mood. The title, 1919. Anxiety. 1934, is significant. The date 1919 likely refers to the aftermath of the Russian Revolution and the ensuing Civil War, a period of immense upheaval and hardship. The date 1934 places the work later, suggesting that the anxieties of that earlier period may still be present or that new anxieties have arisen. The title itself directly states Anxiety, which is palpable in the figures expressions and poses. The artwork can be interpreted as a commentary on the lingering psychological toll of historical events on ordinary families, representing the fear, uncertainty, and stress experienced by people during turbulent times in Soviet history, possibly reflecting collectivization, purges, or general instability.