Boris Kustodiev created this self-portrait as a frontispiece for Vsevolod Voinov’s monograph, the first major literary work exploring Kustodiev’s art, published in Leningrad in 1925.
This is a shoulder-length self-portrait with the artist’s head slightly turned to the right. The image is somewhat idealized: the artist has an intent, attentive look, a rounded face, and a bushy mustache. In reality, Boris Kustodiev was already gravely ill and did not look as healthy which is evidenced by his photos of this period. However, since it was the first book dedicated to the artist’s work, his wish to look his best was perfectly natural.
According to the letters written by the artist’s relatives, Kustodiev wished ardently to see a comprehensive book dedicated to his oeuvre — not separate critical reviews, but an in-depth, detailed study where the author would tell the complete story of his journey and growth as an artist with due appreciation. Several attempts were made to publish a book about Kustodiev. For example, in 1917, a book was already advertised, and a subscription was announced. Other famous painters, Kustodiev’s friends Nicholas Roerich and Stepan Yaremich, were expected to contribute articles for the book. It was supposed to be a large, beautifully illustrated edition. However, after the October Revolution, its publication was taken off the agenda for a long time.
In 1922, the famous Moscow journalist Sergey Goloushev, known under the pen name Sergey Glagol, was commissioned to write a book dedicated to Kustodiev. He had already written numerous articles and several books on prominent Russian artists, including Mikhail Nesterov and Sergey Konenkov, and had just finished a book on Isaac Levitan. Sergey Glagol took the matter seriously. He wrote a letter to Kustodiev who lived in Leningrad, asking the artist’s permission to come get acquainted with him and conduct an in-depth interview. The plan was disrupted by the journalist’s death in the summer of the same year. The artist himself is known to have repeatedly asked Fyodor Notthaft, a critic and collector, to write a book about him.
Only the third attempt — this time by Vsevolod Voinov — proved successful. The edition benefitted from the fact that Kustodiev agreed to illustrate the book and created small drawings in addition to the reproductions printed at the end of the book.
