Virgin of Tenderness evil hearts. 1914-1915 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

Description of Kuzma Petrov Vodkin’s painting "Our Lady of Pleasing the Wicked Hearts

Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin is without a doubt one of the most famous artists. This Soviet and Russian painter contributed greatly to the development of drawing, painting, and pedagogy. In 1930, Petrov-Vodkin was recognized as a Distinguished Artist. His paintings were influenced by many foreign creators. The artist’s paintings bear the imprint of modernism and symbolism. Throughout his life Kuzma Sergeyevich created many portraits, still lifes and thematic works.

The artist received considerable experience of religious images earlier, during the painting of the walls of the church at the Orthopedic Institute in St. Petersburg. Then the master took part in decorating the walls of the cathedral located in Kronstadt. The temple in Suma is also painted by his hand. Church activities influenced the perception of Petrov-Vodkin. In 1915, he finished his work on the image of the Mother of God in the image of a simple peasant woman breastfeeding her child. The painting was titled "Mother."

"Our Lady of the Pleasing of the Wicked Hearts" was created by the author during the First World War in 1915. Its title echoes the notion of the iconography of the Russian Orthodox Church "Softening of the Evil Hearts". The painting bears the imprint of the tragic wartime events for the country and the people. Despite its relatively small size, the painting is a monumental example of painting. The Mother of God on the canvas covered her head with a red kerchief. Her palms bear soothing and blessing.

On the left side of the painting is a silhouette of the Virgin and Child. To the right is Jesus Christ on the crucifixion. The disturbed, reverent, compassionate image is one of the strongest such masterpieces, affecting the emotions and feelings of the viewer.