#15126 Pavel Filonov (1883-1941)

The artwork presents a complex arrangement of fragmented faces and abstract forms rendered in a limited palette dominated by red, blue, and ochre tones against a cream-colored background. The composition lacks a clear spatial depth; figures appear superimposed rather than arranged within a defined perspective.
Here we see three distinct facial profiles, each distorted and stylized to varying degrees. One face, positioned centrally and facing forward, possesses an exaggerated eye shape and prominent nose, conveying a sense of intense scrutiny or perhaps anxiety. To its left, another profile is presented in partial view, the features obscured by overlapping lines and shapes. A third face, depicted in profile and angled towards the right, appears more subdued, though still marked by angularity and simplification.
The artist has employed a network of linear elements to both define and disrupt the forms. Bold red strokes delineate contours and create a sense of dynamism, while thinner blue lines weave through the composition, adding complexity and visual texture. A circular motif, densely patterned with geometric shapes, is integrated into the upper left quadrant, acting as a focal point that draws the eye and introduces an element of symbolic ambiguity.
The overall effect is one of psychological intensity and fractured identity. The disjointed nature of the faces suggests a breakdown in communication or perhaps a representation of internal conflict. The abstract elements contribute to this sense of unease, preventing any easy interpretation and inviting contemplation on themes of perception, memory, and the fragmented self. The deliberate lack of naturalism points towards an exploration of subjective experience rather than objective reality.