Portrait of E.G. Guro

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: The Museum of St. Petersburg avant-garde (Russia).

About the picture:

Although most of Matyushin’s paintings are innovative or abstract compositions, he also created paintings close to realistic, including portraits. His close friend and soul mate, his favorite wife is depicted in a special lyrical art manner. The slim figure in white clothes from the perspective of “above” is depicted against the background of fresh forest greens. The landscape and the female image are painted in soft pastel shades, full of subtle changes and glare reminding the art of Impressionists. Sorrow, as the mood of the portrait, can be understood: Elena exhausted by the serious illness had less than 3 years to live. Therefore, her face is pale and serious – even the shadow of a smile does not touch her lips. In the same year she painted a portrait of Matyushin with a violin.