Pancake week Boris Kustodiev (1878-1927)

Description of Boris Kustodiev’s painting "Maslenitsa

The Pancake Day painting was painted in the Art Nouveau style, by the Russian artist B.M. Kustodiev in 1916. All the events in the picture are taking place on the main square of the provincial town. In the foreground of the picture you can see people sledding in a painted sledge pulled by a pair of festively decorated horses with bells and an arch with bells.

On the cheeks of the people, ruddy from the frost, smiles, joy, laughter. Nearby, merchants are seated selling their wares and you can see the townspeople strolling by. The driver is barely holding back the three horses. You can see the happy kids skating down the hill, flying snowballs from the boys’ fight. Below is a bustling carousel, a noisy fair and crowds of people strolling then going shopping then watching the show. Also visible are a few more sledges, conveying the masses of holiday cheerfulness.

Winter colorful landscape serves as a great backdrop for the picture. The artist uses an amazing palette of colors: turquoise, blue, gold and red shades. A parade of bright colors: pink and gold clouds are spread over an emerald green sky; the snow overflows with delicate blues, pinks and pale lilacs. Red and green patterns are used for the shades of the sleigh.

The church, surrounded by trees, is painted in light colors. These colors were not chosen by chance, they emit a conveyance of relationship to justice and faith, because white is a sign of kindness and purity. The bright sun is contrasted against the background of the snowy shroud. The snow sparkles in the sun and hoarfrost flakes fall from the trees, and its amount in the picture makes it look like a winter ornament.

Looking at the painting, one gets the feeling of being present at this festive festivity. It conveys the impressive warmth of this holiday. It is very optimistic and fully conveys the moments of Shrovetide festivities.