1921–1923
Wood, copper, brick, tinted plaster, faience
Heigth 39

It is difficult to classify the work in question in terms of artistic movement; it would probably be best to name primitivism, which exists in parallel to all styles and orientations. The embracing of the principles of the picturesque, however much at variance it is with the original nature of sculpture, provided an impetus to the creation of a uniquely unorthodox work to break all tenets of academic sculpture committed to naturalistic realism. All the works by the artist bear an imprint of frolicsome nature, spontaneity in seeing the person portrayed, tenacious power of observation. The sculptor's poet looks more like the primogenitor Adam, who partook of the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge, which is quite i line with the symbolist idea of a poet who has touched the source of existence and is burdened by the weight of arcane lore. The work is unique not only for the cultural context of the 1930s, but also for the artist's entire output. It is difficult to identify a sculptural portrait to incorporate such a wealth of materials: wood, brick, copper, plaster, faience. This being so, the master does not create an abstract shape; his work is not an experiment on forms differing in terms of quality, texture and size, which was typical of such trends in the abstract art of the 1920s.

at 10, Krymsky Val, Hall 9