Radiant composition

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: The Perm Art Gallery (Russia).

Developing his previously stated postulate on the connection of archaic with modernity in his theoretical work “The Principles of Cubism and Other Modern Art movements in Painting of All Times and Peoples”, Shevchenko came close to pointlessness. Innovatively considering the entire history of art, he drew attention to the “eternal”, that is, timeless properties of avant-garde shaping. “Radiant composition” is a picture where letters and real forms crumble under mighty thunderbolts turning objectivity into primal chaos. The choice of dark tones as the main ones in this canvas is not accidental since the catastrophe is associated with darkness. Despite the fact that the master remained faithful to figurative creativity and even returned to lyrical themes and symbolism in the end, this canvas confirms the artist’s theoretical calculations.