costumes and make-up to the tragedy of Pushkins Boris Godunov. 1923 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The drawing presents two figures in a study for theatrical costume design. The composition is vertically oriented, with one figure positioned prominently in the foreground and another slightly behind, creating a sense of layered depth.
In the foreground stands a man clad in an elaborate blue coat, its fur collar rising dramatically around his neck. A tall, dark hat sits atop his head, further emphasizing his stature. He holds a staff or walking stick, which he leans on with a measured posture. The artist has rendered the fabric of the coat with visible brushstrokes, suggesting texture and weight. The man’s face is partially obscured by shadow and beard growth, conveying an air of solemnity or perhaps even menace.
Behind him, a second figure appears more plainly dressed in a simple white tunic. His expression is one of weariness or resignation; his gaze directed slightly downward. The artist has sketched this character with looser lines, indicating a less detailed rendering compared to the foreground figure. This difference in treatment suggests a hierarchical relationship between the two characters – perhaps a ruler and a subject, or a powerful individual and an attendant.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by blues, whites, and muted earth tones. The limited range of colors contributes to a somber mood, aligning with the likely dramatic context of a historical tragedy.
Subtly, the drawing conveys themes of power, authority, and perhaps suffering or servitude. The elaborate costume of the foreground figure speaks to his position of influence, while the simpler attire and downcast expression of the second man hint at a subordinate role. The use of shadow and light further enhances this contrast, creating a visual narrative that suggests social disparity and psychological weight. The sketch’s unfinished quality lends it an immediacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment in the design process – a glimpse into the conceptualization of characters destined for the stage.