Boy from the back. Study for the painting Pouring (1911-1914) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The composition presents a figure viewed from behind, dominating the central space. The subject appears to be a young boy, his form suggested through a dense application of paint and a restricted palette. A cascade of dark hair spills down his back and shoulders, obscuring much of the neck and upper torso. The artist employed thick impasto, particularly noticeable in the rendering of the hair, creating a tactile surface that emphasizes texture and volume.
The boy is draped in what seems to be a loose-fitting garment, rendered primarily in muted blues and whites with touches of red suggesting highlights or perhaps decorative elements. These colors are applied in short, broken strokes, contributing to an overall sense of movement and fluidity. The background is indistinct, composed of similarly textured brushstrokes that blend into the surrounding space, preventing any clear spatial definition.
The absence of a frontal view invites speculation about the subject’s internal state or direction of focus. He seems absorbed in something beyond the viewers perspective, suggesting introspection or engagement with an unseen activity. The cropped composition and lack of contextual details heighten this sense of mystery. The study-like quality of the work – the visible brushstrokes and unfinished feel – implies a process of observation and exploration rather than a finalized representation.
Subtly, there is a vulnerability conveyed through the boy’s posture and obscured features. He isnt presented as an idealized figure but rather as a subject undergoing scrutiny, captured in a fleeting moment of private contemplation. The emphasis on the back of the head and shoulders could be interpreted as symbolic – a focus on the unseen aspects of identity or the weight of responsibility carried by youth.