Peasants picking apples

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow (Russia).

The artist’s passion for the history of the Scythians and their naive creativity was reflected in many works of Goncharova in the early 1910s – her interest towards idol-like, roughly depicted characters is noticeable. Two peasants are cut-off pieces, peculiar stone women with disproportionately large legs and arms and simplified plastic movements. Critics see here another influence – African sculpture. It can be seen in the shape slanting black eyes and the way they are depicted in full face on a half profile of the face. The author’s brush itself seemed to get heavier, conveying the gloomy faces of the characters.